Switzerland-Japan Relations
Switzerland-Japan Relations
Japan and Switzerland's friendly relationship began as early as in 1864, when the "Treaty of Amity and Trade" was concluded. Legations, which later were raised to the status of an embassy, were established in 1916 on a reciprocal basis. Exchanges at the governmental level are active, and both governments hold regular meetings.
Japan - Switzerland Free Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (JSFTEPA)
Japan - Switzerland Free Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (JSFTEPA) entered into force on September 1, 2009.
The JSFTEPA marks a new era of economic partnership between Japan and Switzerland and provides a solid basis for further strengthening bilateral relationships between the two countries, especially through trade and investment.
Tariffs for more than 99% of the total trade in goods value between the two countries shall be eliminated within 10 years. It also provides frameworks for an origin declaration by an approved exporter, which is a new system in Japan, for further expansion and facilitation of cross-border investments and for services trade. It facilitates free movement of persons. Both governments committed to enhance conditions for effective protection of intellectual property rights and not to use anti-dumping measures for protectionist purposes.
The Agreement was signed on February 19, 2009, following a total of eight rounds of negotiations since the first round in May 2007. It was then approved by the Federal Assembly of Switzerland and the National Diet of Japan. In Switzerland, National Council and Council of States approved it respectively on May 25 and June 8. In Japan, House of Representatives and House of Councilors approved it respectively on May 28 and June 24.
The negotiations were launched by Mr. Shinzo Abe, then Prime Minister of Japan, and Ms. Micheline Calmy-Rey, then President of the Swiss Confederation, in January 2007. The leaders highlighted the importance of rule-making and strengthening of economic ties between the two countries in various fields such as trade in goods, trade in services, investment and intellectual property.
Detailed information on the Japan-Switzerland FTEPA:
Agreement
Swiss legal detailed information: GE
FR ITFor further information, please contact us at: swg@jetro.go.jp
Trade
Trade between the two countries has always been intense, and today, Japan remains Switzerland's biggest trading partner in Asia. Click on below titles for further information.
Switzerland to Japan (2016)
CHF 7,511 Mio
7.8% of Swiss exports to Asia
2.5% of total Swiss exports
Japan to Switzerland (2016)
CHF 3,954 Mio
6.1% of Swiss imports from Asia
1.5% of total Swiss imports
Source: Swiss Federal Customs Administration (August 2017)
With regard to FDI, Japan remains also the main economic partner of Switzerland in Asia. Click on below titles for further information.
Switzerland to Japan (2015)
FDI stock: CHF 9,378.8 mio
8.2% of Swiss FDI stock in Asia
0.8% of total Swiss FDI stock
Japan to Switzerland (2015)
FDI stock: CHF 5,649 mio
0.7% of total FDI stock in Switzerland
Source: Swiss National Bank (December 2016)
Presentations by Michiaki Watanabe, Director General of JETRO Geneva, about the recovering situation and imports from Japan
- Seminar in Lausanne, May 10, 2011, in French: "Rﾃｩtablissement de la situation et importations de produits japonais"
The seminar was organized by the OSEC and the CVCI (Chambre vaudoise du Commerce et de l'Industrie).
- Seminar in Zurich, May 11, 2011, in English "Recovering situation and imports from Japan"
The seminar was organized by the OSEC.
Presentations by Michiaki Watanabe, Director General of JETRO Geneva, about the Free Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between Switzerland and Japan
- Seminar in Zurich, November 10, 2010, in English: "Free Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between Switzerland and Japan - Review and further development"
The seminar was organized by the SJCC (Swiss-Japanese Chamber of Commerce) and JETRO.
- Seminar in Lausanne, November 11, 2011, in French: "Accord de libre-ﾃｩchange et de partenariat ﾃｩconomique entre la Suisse et le Japon - Avantages concrets pour les entreprises suisses / PME"
The seminar was organized by the GRPM (Groupe romand pour le Matﾃｩriel de Dﾃｩfense et de Sﾃｩcuritﾃｩ) and JETRO.
For further information on Switzerland-Japan relations, please click on the links.
Foreign Direct Investment
With regard to FDI, Japan remains also the main economic partner of Switzerland in Asia. Click on below titles for further information.
Switzerland to Japan (2015)
FDI stock: CHF 9,378.8 mio
8.2% of Swiss FDI stock in Asia
0.8% of total Swiss FDI stock
Japan to Switzerland (2015)
FDI stock: CHF 5,649 mio
0.7% of total FDI stock in Switzerland
Source: Swiss National Bank (December 2016)
Presentations by JETRO Geneva
Presentations by Michiaki Watanabe, Director General of JETRO Geneva, about the recovering situation and imports from Japan
- Seminar in Lausanne, May 10, 2011, in French: "Rﾃｩtablissement de la situation et importations de produits japonais"
The seminar was organized by the OSEC and the CVCI (Chambre vaudoise du Commerce et de l'Industrie).
- Seminar in Zurich, May 11, 2011, in English "Recovering situation and imports from Japan"
The seminar was organized by the OSEC.
Presentations by Michiaki Watanabe, Director General of JETRO Geneva, about the Free Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between Switzerland and Japan
- Seminar in Zurich, November 10, 2010, in English: "Free Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement between Switzerland and Japan - Review and further development"
The seminar was organized by the SJCC (Swiss-Japanese Chamber of Commerce) and JETRO.
- Seminar in Lausanne, November 11, 2011, in French: "Accord de libre-ﾃｩchange et de partenariat ﾃｩconomique entre la Suisse et le Japon - Avantages concrets pour les entreprises suisses / PME"
The seminar was organized by the GRPM (Groupe romand pour le Matﾃｩriel de Dﾃｩfense et de Sﾃｩcuritﾃｩ) and JETRO.
For further information on Switzerland-Japan relations, please click on the links.
