# Section 1 ◆ Treaties and International Conventions

## 1 Negotiations on Treaties

## (1) Major Actions for Negotiations on Conclusion of EPAs with other Countries

An Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) aims to promote liberalization and facilitation of trade between signatory nations, as well as coordination of policies, relaxation of regulations, and cooperation in various economic areas, including tariffs, trade in services, investment, intellectual property, and personal exchanges. The Immigration Bureau has been actively involved in negotiations on conclusion of each EPA with various countries: Singapore (effective date: November 2002 (the effective date is stated similarly hereinafter)), Mexico (April 2005), Malaysia (July 2006), Chile (September 2007), Thailand (November 2007), Indonesia (July 2008), the Philippines (December 2008), Switzerland (September 2009), and Viet Nam (October 2009)*. In these negotiations, the Bureau has offered explanations of the immigration control system in relation to the “movement of natural persons”.

As of April 2010, the Bureau has been involved in negotiations on conclusion of each EPA mainly with Australia, India and Peru.

An agreement between Japan and the Republic of Indonesia on an Economic Partnership came into force on July 1, 2008. With regard to the movement of natural persons, the two nations agreed on the acceptance of short-term business visitors, intra-corporate transferees, investors, independent professionals (e.g., attorneys), contractual service suppliers (those under the status of residence of "Engineer" or "Specialist in Humanities/International Services"), and nurse and certified careworker candidates. The two countries are also considering programs for training and a technical internship program in the area of hotel service as relevant cooperation. In order to introduce the required provisions for nurse and certified care worker candidates, the Ordinance for Enforcement and Public Notice on Designated Activities was partly revised and the "Guidelines on the treatment of Indonesian nurses, etc. subject to the provisions of the agreement between Japan and the Republic of Indonesia on an economic partnership in relation to the Immigration Control Act" was formulated (announced on May 26, 2008 and came into force on July 1, 2008).

An agreement between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines on an Economic Partnership came into force on December 11, 2008. With regard to the movement of natural persons, the two nations agreed on the acceptance of short-term business visitors, intra-corporate transferees, investors, independent professionals (e.g., attorneys), contractual service suppliers (those under the status of residence of “Engineer” or “Specialist in Humanities/International Services”), and nurse and certified careworker candidates. In order to introduce the required provisions for nurse and certified care worker candidates, the Ordinance for Enforcement and Public Notice on Designated Activities was partly revised, and the “Guidelines on the treatment of Philippine nurses subject to the provisions of the agreement between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines on an economic partnership in relation to the Immigration Control Act” was formulated (announced on November 6, 2008, and came into force on December 11, 2008).