The Japan-EU EPA will create one of the largest free and advanced economic zones in the world. Namely, it will form a huge economic zone with approximately 640 million people, 28 per cent of the world’s GDP and 37 per cent of the world’s trade.

The rationale behind this and other trade agreements is simple but seems worth repeating. In Germany, every fourth job depends on exports. Today’s complex value chains and, building on their particular strengths and resources, can sell and buy more products at more affordable prices if they join free trade agreements.

The EU and Japan are leading the way towards free and fair trade to capture the benefits of globalisation and create more economic growth capture the benefits of globalisation and create more economic growth and jobs. Both sides are committed to the highest levels of labour, safety, environmental and consumer protection standards and fully and jobs.

The EU is arguably the world’s best model of integrated economies, making it an ideal EPA partner for Japan. Studies show that the successful conclusion of an ambitious trade agreement between the EU and Japan could deliver a potential 32.7% increase in EU exports to Japan. Japanese exports to the EU could rise by as much as 23.5%.

There’s no trade in an online world without a global Internet. It is critical to ensure the functioning of Smart Industries and Internet of Things, and the interoperability of respective ICT policies such as the EU ‘Digital Single Market’ and Japan ‘Society 5.0’. Therefore, we encourage the same parties to pursue the same objectives at the G20 and G7 summits.

According to the European Commission, the agreement will be especially beneficial for certain industry sectors; pharmaceuticals, medical devices, food & beverages, motor vehicles and transport equipment. With the exception of food, these areas are well-matched with Swedish exports to Japan.

Many of Japan’s leading companies are located in the Netherlands. They represent a wide range of industries: from chemicals to electronics and from creative to financial. Deploying a vast array of activities in the Netherlands, from R&D to Manufacturing, Marketing and Sales to European headquarters.