EU Statement at the Trade Policy Review of Japan, 27 May 2026
Thank you, Madam Chair.
On behalf of the European Union (EU), I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the Delegation of Japan, led by H.E. Mr Katsuhiko TAKAHASHI. I would also like to thank the WTO Secretariat and the Government of Japan for their thorough and insightful reports, which form the basis for our discussion today. Let me thank the Discussant, H.E. Ambassador Mai (Vietnam), for the valuable introduction to the main developments in Japan’s economy and its trade with the rest of the world since the country’s last Trade Policy Review of 2023. The EU greatly values the commitment of Japan to this vital transparency exercise.
Japan is a longstanding and strategic partner of the European Union. This partnership is based on more than just trade – we have shared values and principles such as democracy, the rule of law, human rights, good governance, the commitment to multilateralism, and open market economies. Japan and the EU maintain a close and constructive dialogue and cooperation across key international forums, including the United Nations, the OECD, the G20 and the G7 and, of course, the WTO.
The EU and Japan share a strong commitment to the WTO. The EU highly appreciates Japan’s contribution in identifying ways for the WTO to deliver outcomes. This has been demonstrated by Japan’s leading role in the Agreement on E-commerce (where we launched interim arrangements at MC14), and its participation in the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement as well as in the Joint Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation. We also value Japan’s participation in the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement, its acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies and its role as the first WTO Member of make a voluntary contribution to the WTO Fisheries Funding Mechanism. At a time when the global trading system is faced with unprecedented challenges, emergencies and threats, the EU also values Japan’s commitment to upholding and reforming the multilateral trading system. We look forward to continuing our constructive cooperation in these areas.
The EU and Japan can rely on a strong bilateral economic relationship, which has deepened significantly since Japan’s last TPR. Under our Strategic Partnership Agreement, the EU and Japan are strengthening their relations across a wide range of areas, from enhanced political cooperation to trade and investment, to development, climate action, energy, research and innovation. The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, our FTA, plays a key role in our strategic partnership. This partnership has been further strengthened by the entry into force of the EU-Japan Protocol on cross-border data flows in 2024 and the Competitiveness Alliance launched at the 2025 EU-Japan Summit, which fosters closer cooperation on a range of issues, including economic security and supply chain resilience.
In its written questions, the EU has raised several issues, amongst others on trade in agricultural products, government procurement, investment, customs procedures, and maritime policies.
First, we invite Japan to elaborate on whether it intends to reduce the high level of protection for agricultural products. Specifically, we are interested in potential reduction in tariffs – which remain significantly higher than for other products – as well as reduction of protection through tariff quotas, state trading arrangements, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures. Such steps would help improve market access for foreign suppliers.
Second, on government procurement regime, we would welcome further details on how Japan intends to enhance access to government procurement under the WTO Government Procurement Agreement, in particular by addressing administrative fragmentation and burdensome certification requirements and using international standards for technical specifications when they exist.
Third, traceability of products in a free and open multilateral trade regime is essential in case issues with the products emerge. This is usually ensured through lot codes. We would like to invite Japan to explain which measures are currently being considered or implemented to enhance traceability on alcoholic beverages in line with international practices.
Fourth, Japan reserves domestic maritime transport exclusively for Japanese-flagged vessels, unless permission is granted to a foreign-flagged vessel. This restriction also applies to specialized maritime transport operations in the construction of offshore renewable energy capacities, a critical area for the green transition. We would like to invite Japan to clarify which criteria, and procedural safeguards govern such exemptions, and whether Japan intends to address them and, if so, to which timeline.
The EU encourages Japan to seize this Trade Policy Review as an opportunity to further advance transparency, openness, and regulatory predictability in its economy. At a time of geopolitical uncertainty, the EU values Japan’s reliability as a partner upholding the rules-based order and fostering inclusive, sustainable trade.
On behalf of the EU, I look forward to working together to meet these shared challenges and reinforce the resilience of the global trading system and wish Japan and H. E. Ambassador Katsuro Nagai and his team in Geneva a successful 16th review.