Japan - Canada start EPA negotiation

On March 25, 2012, METI announced in their press release that Japan and Canada launch bilateral EPA negotiation after joint-study by both countries.

http://www.meti.go.jp/press/2011/03/20120325001/20120325001.html

The schedule will be discussed later between two countries.

Japan start EPA negotiation with Mongolia

On March 12, 2012, METI and MOFA jointly announced Japan and Mongolia will enter into EPA negotiation.

http://www.meti.go.jp/press/2011/03/20120312010/20120312010.pdf

Mongolia have never had FTA with other country, it is their first FTA for Mongolia.
For Japan, considering small trade volume with Mongolia, it would be no significant impact to Japanese economy, however, the benefit would be "access to rich natural resources" in Mongolia.
No time frame is indicated in the press release, just stated the negotiation will start "as soon as possible".

Amending PSR in Japan-Mexico EPA

With amending protocol of Japan-Mexico EPA effective on April 1st, 2012, certain Product Specific Rule ("PSR") in Annex IV are amended accordingly in order to reflect actual industry practice and convenience of traders.  One of the examples are as follows.

For HS code, 8415.90, 8512.90, and 9032.90 (They are mostly automotive parts)

• Existing PSR (before amending):  CTH only (Change of Tariff Heading or 4 digits change in HS code)
• New PSR (after April 1, 2012):  CTH or VA40% (Value Addition more than 40%)

This change means trader has option to choose CTH or VA40%.
Oh, please take care.  HS code in PSR of Japan-Mexico EPA is HS 2002 version.

(Source:  http://www.meti.go.jp/policy/trade_policy/epa/pdf/japan%20mexico-PSR120305.pdf )

Amended EPA between Japan and Mexico implemented on April 1, 2012

METI and MOFA announced in its press release on March 3 that amending protocol of Japan - Mexico EPA will enter into force on April 1 this year.

This amending protocol provides for further improvement of market access conditions related to trade in goods, revision of the procedures for certification of origin through introduction of a system for declaration of origin by approved exporters and so on.

At the same time, in order to improve convenience, the rules of origin by goods for some products, including automobile components and iron & steel (Annex IV), will be amended corresponding to the actual situation of the industry.



(Source:  http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2012/0303_01.html )

Approved exporter system of Japan-Mexico EPA effective April 2012

Approved exporter system in EPA with Mexico, which is self-declaration of goods origin by exporter, will be available to use on April 1st, 2012, according to the material issued by METI.

http://www.meti.go.jp/policy/trade_policy/epa/file/approved_exporter_procedure.pdf

So far, approved exporter system is available only to EPA with Switzerland and Peru.  Japan-Mexico EPA have been implemented since 2005.  By updating the agreement, exporter can make use of this self-declaration system by approved exporter in Japan-Mexico EPA.
There are certain criteria and requirements to be an approved exporter, please see the comprehensive guidance in above URL.