Decision

13 October 2021: UK-Japan CEPA Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development – joint minutes

Updated 3 May 2024

Joint Minutes of the 1st meeting of the Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between the United Kingdom (UK) of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Japan

London and Tokyo (via videoconference), 13 October 2021

1. Opening remarks and adoption of the Agenda and sharing understanding of the Rules of Procedure

The enclosed meeting agenda was adopted (at Annex A).
Both sides reaffirmed approval to apply the Rules of Procedure (RoP) for the Joint Committee mutatis mutandis once they have been adopted by the Joint Committee.

2. Discussion on the Joint Dialogue with Civil Society

Japan and the UK discussed approaches to the Joint Dialogue with civil society and the UK welcomed hearing about Japan’s experience of holding similar dialogues with the European Union (EU). Japan and the UK both acknowledged the importance of this dialogue and confirmed that they will look to hold the first one alongside the next meeting of the TSD Committee in 2022. Both sides confirmed that they would continue to engage on this, with a view to finalising the operation of the dialogue by early 2022, so that the dialogue can take place alongside the 2nd meeting of the TSD Committee.

3. Discussion regarding the TSD Panel of Experts

The Committee confirmed that both sides would establish the list of experts for the Panel at the next TSD Committee meeting in 2022. Both sides also confirmed that they would share further details on their current approaches to this and continue this discussion via correspondence over the coming months leading to the next Committee meeting.

4. Dedicated session on Trade and Environment including climate action

Japan and the UK both provided updates on their implementation of the environment and climate aspects of the TSD Chapter of the Agreement. The UK confirmed that they will continue to ensure high levels of protection of the environment in the implementation of their trade agreements. The UK reaffirmed its Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEA) obligations and commitments and set out their ambitions for the sustainable management of forests and trade in timber products. The UK thanked Japan for their support in achieving a positive outcome in this year’s G7 Climate and Environment Track and acknowledged Japan’s recent interventions at the G20. The UK reaffirmed their priorities for COP26 and updated Japan on the UK’s domestic policy, setting out ambitious plans across key sectors to meet the country’s carbon budgets and Net Zero.

Japan acknowledged the current climate change action of both sides and the ongoing discussions on this subject at G7 meetings this year. Japan welcomed the UK’s leadership on climate change, both in their role as president of G7 and host of COP26 this year. Japan shared their priorities on the implementation of commitments under the TSD Chapter with regards to Climate and Environment, which focus on biodiversity, decarbonisation and green growth strategy. Both sides noted their shared interest in these areas and confirmed continued cooperation on these issues, which will be discussed further at future Committee meetings.

5. Dedicated session on Trade and Labour

The UK and Japan both provided an update on ratification and implementation of International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and an overview of their domestic approach to employment law. Both sides also gave presentations on best practices relating to participation and diversity in the workforce.
Japan reiterated their commitment to the activities of the ILO as a founding member of the organisation and discussed their recent steps towards ratification of ILO C105. Japan presented on a range of topics, including promoting the advancement of women in the workplace, childcare leave, “power harassment” prevention, ensuring employment opportunity measures for the elderly, measures to expand opportunities for people with disabilities, a safety net for workers working under multiple employers, expansion of industrial accident compensation insurance and establishment of workers’ cooperative law.

The UK updated on their ILO commitments, confirming their ratification of all eight of the fundamental conventions. The UK presented policies to improve participation of under-represented groups in the workforce. The UK also expressed its thanks for Japan’s presentation in the G7 Employment Task Force (ETF) on how to facilitate a just transition towards a green economy, Japan’s contributions to the work of the G7 on tackling forced labour, and the ongoing collaboration as part of the group of Industrialised Market Economy Countries at the ILO. The UK also updated on their work to ratify ILO C190 (Violence and Harassment in the workplace). UK presented policies on flexible working, paid and unpaid leave and protection from discrimination and from safety risks in the workplace which the UK uses to improve participation of under-represented groups in the workforce. In line with Article 16.3 of the agreement, the UK and Japan will continue as appropriate to make efforts on its own initiative to pursue ratification of the fundamental ILO conventions and other ILO conventions and will provide an update on progress at the next TSD Committee.

6. Information exchange on the domestic advisory groups

Japan and the UK discussed the establishment of their respective domestic advisory groups to monitor and, where necessary, express their opinions on the implementation of the TSD Chapter as well as participate in the Joint Dialogue with civil society. The UK updated Japan on their ongoing work considering options for establishing their domestic advisory group. Japan shared information on its existing domestic advisory groups and how they function within the scope of other agreements. Japan confirmed that structures are already in place to establish a domestic advisory group for the purposes of Article 16.15 of the Agreement, and the UK promised to share details on the formation of its group once it is established.

7. Future meetings and closing remarks

Japan and the UK noted that the meeting was the first of its kind under the Agreement and recognised the value of the exchange as the start of a long and positive relationship under the TSD Chapter. The UK expressed its gratitude to Japan for their offer to host the next TSD Committee meeting in 2022. Both sides confirmed that they would exchange contact points in order to continue their coordination and/or discussions by correspondence.