Japan agreed EPA with Vietnam and Swiss

Japanese government announced today on Sept 29 that EPA negotiation was agreed with Vietnam and Switzerland. So far, Japan have implemented EPA with total 9 countries, so this agreement will make EPA with 11 countries.

As for Vietnam EPA, it is expected to exempt the customs duty (from Japan to Vietnam) for automobile parts and steel products. Japanese manufacture will enjoy much more export to Vietnam. On the other hand the goods from Vietnam to Japan, it is expected to have zero duty in fish and textiles.

As for EPA with Switzerland, it is first EPA for Japan with European country. For export from Japan, the customs duty for automobile and steel products are expected to lower level. The import from Switzerland to Japan, the customs duty for wine will be zero duty. Approx. 80% of products from Switzerland have already been zero or lower duty.

As WTO negotiation is struggled to reach agreement, this is good news for Japan.
After these EPA, next target EPA for Japan is to reach agreement with Australia and Korea.

(Source: Japan - Swiss EPA: http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/fta/j_swit/goui.html)
(Source: Japan - Vietnam EPA: http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/fta/j_asean/vietnam/goui.html )