24 February 2022: Joint minutes of the first meeting of the Joint Committee of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Updated 3 May 2024
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On 24 February 2022, the Joint Committee established by the Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) and Japan for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership (hereinafter referred to as “the Agreement”) held its first meeting in Tokyo, Japan.
It was co-chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Hayashi Yoshimasa, and the UK’s Secretary of State for International Trade Anne-Marie Trevelyan.
1. Opening statements
At the opening statements, Minister Hayashi and Secretary of State Trevelyan (hereinafter referred to as “both sides”) welcomed the effective implementation of the Agreement and the importance of bilateral cooperation activity to ensure the agreement was fully utilised. Both sides confirmed that Japan and the UK would further develop the bilateral relationship based on the Agreement.
The Rules of Procedure of the Joint Committee was adopted.
2. Overview of EPA implementation and further cooperation
i. Digital cooperation
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of the Agreement’s provisions on cutting-edge digitalisation and digital cooperation. Both sides emphasised the importance of further bilateral cooperation when it came to digital trade. Minister Hayashi commented that Japan continues to promote cooperation with the UK in the digital area not only bilaterally but also in multilateral fora such as the WTO and G7.
ii. Green trade
In addition, both sides welcomed the outcome of COP26 in Glasgow in 2021 and emphasised the importance of further bilateral cooperation on green trade. Minister Hayashi stated that the discussion at the Specialised Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development last October was meaningful as it confirmed the earlier discussions at the G7 and continuous efforts being made toward COP26. Both sides shared possible areas of cooperation. Both sides discussed ways of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and decarbonized society.
Both sides also discussed broader issues, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, bilateral and global trade, the UK accession process to the CPTPP, cooperation at the WTO and G7, and relationship with ASEAN.
3. Closing remarks
Both sides discussed whether to hold the second meeting of the Joint Committee in London, on a date to be decided, with a view to ensuring that the Agreement continues to promote trade between Japan and the UK and benefits on both countries.
Agenda
1․ Opening statements
- adoption of the Joint Committee Plenary Agenda (paragraph 3 of Article 23.2) and Joint Committee Rules of Procedure (paragraph 4 (e) of Article 23.1)
2․ Overview of EPA implementation and further cooperation
- digital cooperation
- green trade
3․ Closing remarks