Factsheet: EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)

On 1 February 2019, the ambitious EU-Japan EPA came into force, covering close to 30% of global GDP and a population of 600 million people.

Over the last five years, the EPA has led to substantial growth, helping to diversify and secure supply chains and promote sustainability. 

Since implementation:

• Total trade in goods has surged by 14.2%
• Total trade in services has increased by 27%

The EU-Japan EPA has improved bilateral trade in goods in many sectors

Increase in specific EU exports to Japan since the entry into force of the EPA:

• Works of art and antiques: +305% 
• Pearls, gemstones, gold and silver items: +125%  
• Cereals: +76% 
• Pharmaceutical products: +25%  
• Electrical machinery: +28% 

Increase in specific imports from Japan since the entry into force of the EPA:

• Iron and steel: +320% 
• Ships and boats: +147% 
• Footwear: +133% 
• Photographic goods: +18% 
• Electrical machinery: +8% 

Total bilateral trade in environmental goods and services has grown by x1.4 since the entry into force of the agreement.

Since the entry into force of the agreement: