Jump to:
- Trade agreements with Japan
- Finding information on government procurement opportunities in Japan
- Your rights in Japan
- Market access: what Japan covers
- Conditions for participating in government procurement
- Additional information for selling goods and services in Japan
- Useful resources
- Department for Business and Trade support
Trade agreements with Japan
The UK has 2 Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Japan:
- the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) henceforth referred to as the UK-Japan FTA, which entered into force on 1 January 2021
- the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a trade agreement including 12 countries (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the UK and Vietnam) which entered into force between the UK and Japan on 15 December 2024
The following Parliamentary Report provides information about significant differences between the UK-Japan FTA and the EU-Japan FTA.
The UK-Japan FTA will remain in force alongside CPTPP. At times, you will need to specify which agreement you choose to trade under (notably when applying rules of origin), but benefits from either agreement will mostly apply automatically.
CPTPP entry into force and ratification
As of 15 December 2024, CPTPP is in force between the UK and:
- Brunei
- Chile
- Japan
- Malaysia
- New Zealand
- Peru
- Singapore
- Vietnam
This means that the UK can access CPTPP provisions with said countries.
On 24 December 2024, CPTPP will enter into force between the UK and Australia; this means that the UK will be able to access CPTPP provisions with Australia from and including 24 December 2024.
The following countries have not yet ratified the terms of the UK’s accession:
Canada and Mexico.
This means that the UK cannot yet access CPTPP provisions with those countries.
This guidance will be updated following each of the remaining countries’ ratification of the terms of the UK’s accession to CPTPP and will include when CPTPP will enter in force between the UK and the relevant remaining country.
These agreements provide you with guaranteed access to covered government procurement opportunities across the CPTPP countries. They ensure systems for procurement are transparent, accessible and that you can compete with local businesses on equal terms.
CPTPP Chapter 15: Government Procurement (please note that this link directs you to the New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry which is responsible for the CPTPP agreement text), UK-Japan Agreement for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership and Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) set the rules for government procurement processes between UK businesses and Japanese procuring entities.
Finding information on government procurement opportunities in Japan
The Japanese government is the leading purchaser of goods and services in Japan. Japan has an increasing need for infrastructure; as well as opportunities in other sectors such as telecommunications, education and transport.
UK businesses can access government procurement opportunities on the Japanese government procurement tender system Japanese External Trade Organisation (JETRO) which provides a list of national government and local government procurement notices. More information on government procurement in Japan can be found there. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has published an overview on Suggestions for Accessing the Government Procurement Market of Japan and holds a seminar on Government Procurement each spring where representatives from central government procuring entities outline their procurement plans for the fiscal year.
Your rights in Japan
The UK and other CPTPP countries have agreed rules for government procurement processes. These rules make it unlawful for procuring entities to discriminate against you in relation to covered procurement opportunities and ensure that procurement processes are carried out in a transparent and fair manner.
There are several requirements set out in these agreements which benefit you when participating in another CPTPP government procurement market. However, please note that the full list of requirements is not provided in this guidance.
Non-discrimination
A guarantee of non-discrimination when you bid for covered procurement contracts under the categories listed in the market access schedules (further detail on market access schedules below). This means that when bidding for covered contracts, and throughout the procurement process, you should receive the same treatment as domestic businesses.
Disclosure of information
If your bid is unsuccessful, you can request information on the contract award decision. This means that, where it is possible to do so without disclosing confidential information, the procuring entity should provide you with an explanation of the reasons why they did not select your tender or the relative advantages of the successful tender.
Domestic review procedures
Each CPTPP country must have an impartial and independent review authority to enable supplier challenges or complaints. Procuring entities are also required to consider complaints fairly, promptly and in a way that does not affect your access to ongoing or future procurements. This means that if you believe there has been a breach of rules, you can challenge the procuring entity's decisions.
Electronic processes
A commitment to conduct government procurement via electronic means where possible.
Market access: what Japan covers
Japan’s market access schedules set out the procuring entities and sectors that are covered under UK-Japan FTA and CPTPP rules. They also include information on the value a procurement contract must be worth to be covered and detail of any exemptions to coverage.
For the UK-Japan FTA, Japan’s market access schedule can be found in UK-Japan FTA Annex 10 (this can be found in UK/Japan: Agreement for Comprehensive Economic Partnership – Volume 3).
For CPTPP, Japan’s market access schedule can be found in Annex 15-A to J Japan Government Procurement (please note that this link directs you to the New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry which is responsible for the CPTPP agreement text).
Entities
Japan provides substantial coverage of its government procurement market in its market access schedules and has included:
- central government entities: for example, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and Ministry of the Environment
- Japan’s Local Administrative Agencies and Core Cities, including Japan’s two largest cities: Tokyo and Yokohama (you can find more information on the JETRO website)
- utilities: for example, a range of universities and hospitals
Goods, services including construction services
You have legally guaranteed access to government procurement opportunities across many different areas. Including but not limited to:
- transport services
- motion picture production services
- food and beverage serving services
- management consulting services
- advertising services
- computer and related services
To bid for government contracts in Japan for construction and design of public works, businesses must undergo the ‘Business Matters Evaluation’ or ‘Keishin’. The UK-Japan FTA sets out a system of technical standards for this evaluation procedure, which will ensure non-discriminatory assessments of UK businesses’ technical abilities and experience when bidding for public contracts in Japan.
Conditions for participating in government procurement
In order to participate in procurement opportunities in a CPTPP country, you do not need prior experience or contracts with procuring entities in that country. A procuring entity may advertise conditions of participation, which must relate only to ensuring suppliers’ legal and financial capacity and commercial and technical ability to fulfil the contract. Procuring entities will evaluate your bid by reference to these conditions, based on your activities whether inside or outside CPTPP countries.
You may be excluded from participating in a procurement for various reasons if there is supporting evidence for the exclusion, including:
- bankruptcy or insolvency
- false declarations
- deficiencies in performance of requirements under a prior contract
- failure to pay taxes
- serious crimes, offences or professional misconduct
Additional information for selling goods and services in Japan
Selling goods in Japan will require following certain rules and regulations you have in place with your buyer. There is additional guidance on international commercial terms and import conditions into Japan
Japan customs regulates all goods imported into Japan. You’ll need to provide important declarations and documents, in addition to paying all relevant duties and taxes. You can check our guide on Tariffs and Customs in Japan.
Providing services in Japan will have other consequences including for tax, intellectual property and local labour regulations. Please refer to the following for more advice:
You can also find more information at the bottom of this page in the Department for Business and Trade support section.
UK and Japan have also agreed provisions to make it easier for business persons to travel and stay temporarily in Japan. For more information, you can check our guide on Temporary Entry in Japan.
Department for Business and Trade support
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) helps businesses export, drives inward and outward investment, negotiates market access and trade agreements, and champions free trade. Helpful links, tools and services available from DBT and wider government include:
Export Support Service (ESS) team
Get support on how to do business abroad. You may also be eligible for 1-2-1 support from a local International Trade Adviser. Businesses in Wales can also access support from Business Wales.
Export Support Service – International Markets (ESS-IM)
DBT's overseas in-market export support service for SMEs with high-export potential. Our International Market Advisers provide tailored support and market introduction information to new and current UK exporters looking to enter or expand into new markets. The service may be accessed globally with International Markets teams in South Asia, China, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, North America and Latin America.
Sign up to access free training on how to grow your international sales.
Information on finance and insurance for UK exports.
Trade and investment factsheets
The latest statistics on trade and investment between the UK and individual overseas partners.
Overseas business risk profiles
Information for UK businesses on political, economic and security risks when trading overseas.
Advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences.
Check or report a trade barrier
If you encounter an issue when exporting to any country – report the issue and UK government officials will be able to assess the issue and consider the options we have open to addressing it as appropriate
Search for your specific product to find applicable tariffs for each market, explore rules of origin and step-by-step help on customs procedures
Check import duties and allows you to check the status of available tariff rate quotas
Useful resources
You can find more information about export opportunities, business culture and any existing trade barriers on our Japan market guide.
Prior to export, you must be aware of local regulations and import conditions in Japan that apply to your goods or services. This can include tax considerations, labour laws, intellectual property rules, labelling and packaging regulations, among others.
To seek further information related to local regulations, business culture, or to find a local lawyer, translator, importer or distributor, you can use the following contacts:
- DBT’s Export Support Service International Markets team
- get in touch with DBT at the local British Embassy
- get in touch with the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan
To see information on political, economic and security risks when trading with Japan, please see: