Survey Overview and Background This survey was conducted as a FY2024 METI commissioned project to analyze the progress of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) in the Asia-Pacific region and their impact on Japanese companies, providing insights for future trade policy formulation. It comprehensively verifies trade trends and effects on corporate activities following the entry into force of major EPAs including CPTPP and RCEP.
Changes in Trade and Investment Trends Trade volume with the Asia-Pacific region after RCEP's entry into force increased by 12.4% compared to the previous year, with particularly notable growth in intermediate goods and digital services trade. Japanese companies' direct investment in the region also expanded, demonstrating the effectiveness of trade liberalization.
Corporate Activity Impact Analysis Manufacturing companies reported significant benefits from tariff elimination and simplified customs procedures. SMEs particularly benefited from reduced compliance costs and improved market access opportunities, contributing to their international expansion efforts.
Supply Chain Optimization Effects EPAs enabled companies to optimize their supply chain configurations across the region. Production network reorganization and procurement source diversification strengthened business resilience while improving cost efficiency.
Digital Trade and Services Liberalization Progress in digital trade rules and services liberalization created new business opportunities, particularly in e-commerce, fintech, and digital content sectors. Cross-border data flows facilitation significantly benefited technology companies.
Future Strategic Recommendations Recommendations include deepening existing EPAs through additional negotiations, expanding agreement coverage to emerging economies, and strengthening digital trade rules. The report emphasizes the importance of maintaining multilateral trading systems while addressing emerging challenges in international trade.