August 3, 2020
On August 1, 2020, the First Protocol to Amend the Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Partnership among Japan and Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (the First Protocol to Amend the AJCEP) entered into force.
- On August 1, 2020, the First Protocol to Amend the AJCEP entered into force among Japan, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
- The Protocol adds the provisions concerning Trade in Services, Movement of Natural Persons and Investment to the AJCEP which entered into force in 2008. The Protocol will be the first economic partnership agreement (EPA) on Trade in Services and Movement of Natural Persons in relation to the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. The Protocol also includes the rules and liberalization commitments from ASEAN Member States which are not included in the bilateral EPAs or related agreements concluded between Japan and each ASEAN Member State.
- It is expected that the entry into force of the Protocol will promote further trade and investment between Japan and the fast-developing ASEAN region and will strengthen the Japan-ASEAN cooperative relationship.
References
- The ASEAN Member States are: Brunei Darussalam, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, the Kingdom of Thailand, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.
- In relation to an ASEAN Member State notifying that its legal procedures necessary for entry into force of the Protocol are complete, the Protocol shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the notification is made.
