# Initiatives Involving Multilateral and Bilateral Negotiations and Cooperation

## 1 Responding to Economic Coordination and International Organizations

## (1) Responding to the World Trade Organization (WTO)

At WTO’s Doha Round negotiations, Japan is actively participating in trade in service negotiations for varieties of sectors, such as chairing multi-country meetings for the maritime transport and construction sector, to further liberalize trade. Since the beginning of 2012, while Doha Round negotiations have been stalled, Japan and several volunteering countries have conducted discussions on creating a new trade in service agreement that is more appropriate for the 21st century. Also, regarding the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) that sets the rules for government procurements, negotiations for revisions that ensure transparency of procedures and expand market access were agreed upon at the WTO/ the 8th Ministerial meeting for revised GPA negotiations that was held in December 2011.

## (2) Entering Economic Partnership Agreements/Free Trade Agreements (EPA/FTA)

Japan is strategically promoting economic partnership with the Asia-Pacific region, East Asia region, European Union and others. As of March 2013, there are thirteen EPAs/FTAs in effect with various countries and regions. With these agreements, from the perspective of increasing international competitiveness and overseas expansions of our country's industries such as transport and construction, initiatives are being implemented such as liberalizing service by removing and relaxing restriction for foreign investments, opening the market for government procurement and increasing opportunities for participation in partner countries. Also, bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism with partner countries is being advanced from the perspective of expanding personal exchanges.

## 2 Responding to International Organizations

## (1) Responding to Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

MLIT is mainly actively involved with APEC’s ministerial conferences and working groups in the field of transport and tourism. At the 7th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting held in July 2012 in Russia, appreciation was shown for the assistance received from various member countries and regions for the Great East Japan Earthquake and lessons learned from the earthquake were shared. In August 2012, Special APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting was held in Russia and Japan made a presentation on the role of Transport Ministers in improving the supply chain as well as cooperation with the member countries and regions of APEC. Each of the Ministerial Joint Statement adopted at the respective ministerial conference was incorporated into the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting held in September of the same year. Especially regarding the field of tourism, the importance of tourism for economic development and travel facilitation were incorporated. Also, the 8th APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting is scheduled to be held in Tokyo in September 2013.

## (2) Responding to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

MLIT participates in the Joint Transport Research Centre (JTRC), which is one of OECD’s subsidiaries and are jointly administered by OECD Council Working Party on Shipbuilding, Territorial Development Policy Committee (TDPC), OECD, and International Transport Forum (ITF).

OECD Council Working Party on Shipbuilding works on development of a healthy shipbuilding market, establishment of fair competition, and activation of dialogues with emerging shipbuilding countries. TDPC actively focuses on review of each member state's land and regional policies, policy deliberation such as urban policies in green growth strategies, compact city policy, surveys on recovery from disaster. JTRC takes part in the research groups on optimization of finance for use, maintenance and management of road and adaptation of infrastructure against climate anomalies and climate change, and conducts research studies on policy topics common to the member states.