WT/REG277/M/2  
 
19 April 2024  
(24-3293) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
Hundred and Ninth Session    
 
 
FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN JAPAN AND THE MEMBER STATES OF THE 
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN), SERVICES  
NOTE ON THE MEETING OF 8 APRIL 2024  
Chair: Ambassador H.E. Ms. Clare KELLY (New Zealand)  
1.1.  The 10 9th Session of the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (hereinafter "CRTA" or the 
"Committee") was convened in Airgram WTO/AIR/RTA/34/Rev.1  dated 28 March  2024. 
1.2.  Under Agenda Item 8.2, the CRTA considered the Agreement establishing a Free Trade 
Agreement between Japan and the Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 
(ASEAN), services , (hereinafter "the Agreement"). The goods aspects of th e Agreement had been  
considered by the Committee in July 2020. The Chair stated that the Factual Presentation had been 
prepared by the Secretariat on its own responsibility in full consultation with the Parties, in 
accordance with paragraph 7(b) of the Transparency Mechanism for Regional Trade Agreements 
(document WT/L/671 ). 
1.3.  The Agreement had entered into force between 1 August 2020 and 1 February 2022, depending 
on the Party . It had been notified to the WTO by the Parties on 11 November 2022 under 
Article  V:7(a) of the GATS (document S/C/N/1117 ). The Factual Presentation 
(document  WT/REG277/4 ), and questions and replies, document s WT/REG277/5  and RD/RTA/64 , 
had been distributed.   
1.4.  The representative of Thailand on behalf of the Parties  extend ed its sincere appreciation to the 
WTO Secretariat for the preparation of the comprehensive factual presentation focusing on the 
services aspect of the Agreement . 
1.5.  Following the implementation of the Agreement in 2008, ASEAN and Japan had continued to 
intensify t heir joint efforts aimed at enhancing trade and economic cooperation. In 2019, all the 
Parties had signed the First Protocol to Amend the Agreement , thereby extending the scope of the 
Agreement, initially covering only trade in goods, to encompass trade in  services, the movement of 
natural persons, and investment. The Protocol had come into effect for all Parties in February 2022.  
1.6.  The Protocol contained the schedules of specific commitments for all 11 Parties with a varied 
degree of liberalization by sector , as well as rules building on those under the GATS, such as MFN, 
transparency, market access, domestic regulation, and national treatment. The Parties were, in 
addition, committed to facilitating the movement of natural persons falling within the categori es 
outlined in the Protocol. Lastly, while the Protocol did  not address liberalization, it contained 
investment provisions on protection, promotion, and facilitation .  
1.7.  The Parties  firmly believed that th e Protocol would engender greater cross -border flow o f 
investment and services between all Parties. According to the ASEAN statistics database, FDI flows 
from Japan to ASEAN reached USD 27.2 million in 2022, reflecting a n increase of 28.9% from the 
preceding year. ASEAN and Japan, hence, remained committed t o working closely together to  further 
liberalize and strengthen the ir economic ties, notably through dialogues under the work programme 
and review mechanisms set out in the Agreement.  WT/REG277/M/2  
 
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  1.8.  In conclusion, they thanked WTO Members for their keen interest in the A greement. They 
acknowledged the written questions from a Member to which Japan had circulated its answers. They 
also hoped to be able to circulate ASEAN 's answers soon. They looked forward to a productive 
meeting while welcoming any further comments and qu estions from Members.  
1.9.  The representative of the European Union  thanked Thailand on behalf of the Parties and wished 
them success in the implementation of the Agreement.  
1.10.  The representative of the United States  wished Thailand and the Parties the same  and thanked 
them for submitting the notification.  
1.11.  The Chair noted the consideration of the services aspect of the Free Trade Agreement between 
Japan and the Member States of ASEAN, had allowed the Committee to clari fy a number of questions 
and conclude oral discussion of the RTA in accordance with paragraph 11 of the Transparency 
Mechanism. Any delegations wishing to ask follow -up questions were invited to forward submissions 
in writing to the Secretariat by 15 April  2024 and the Parties were asked to submit replies in writing 
by no later than 29 April 2024. In accordance with paragraph 13 of the Transparency Mechanism all 
written submissions, as well as minutes of the meeting would be circulated promptly, in all WTO 
official languages, and made available in the WTO database on RTAs.  
1.12.  The Committee took note  of the comments made.  
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