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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.
This guidance is an explanation of both the UK-Japan FTA and CPTPP Chapter 12: Temporary Entry for Business Persons. Key documents include Japan’s schedule of commitments for temporary entry for business persons in accordance with Article 12.4 of the CPTPP agreement.
This guidance outlines how the temporary entry provisions in these agreements support the movement of skilled UK business professionals to Japan to facilitate trade in goods and services, as well as investment. CPTPP is now in force with Japan, and UK professionals can bow benefit from the agreement. Please note, when applying for temporary entry to Japan, you will not need to specify that you are entering under a particular FTA.
Please be aware that entry into Japan is subject to meeting the relevant immigration and employment requirements set out in Japanese legislation. For more details, read the UK government guidance on living in Japan.
Temporary entry
Temporary entry provisions in FTAs help provide greater certainty and access for the temporary movement of professionals to:
- deliver services
- negotiate the sale of goods
- invest in businesses in person
The movement of skilled UK professionals supports economic growth, innovation, and collaboration between the UK and its international partners.
These commitments do not afford legal rights to business persons directly. They apply to British citizens only, and not to foreign nationals who reside in the UK. For example, they do not allow British citizens to enter a CPTPP country to look for employment, nor do they apply to measures regarding citizenship, nationality, residence or permanent employment.
FTA commitments on temporary entry do not necessarily lead to improvements in domestic legislation of CPTPP countries. However, they guarantee that CPTPP countries will treat covered business persons no less favourably than what is set out in the FTA. The domestic law of each CPTPP country remains the authoritative source of rights and obligations on temporary entry. Each CPTPP country must ensure that its domestic law conforms with its FTA commitments. If there is an inconsistency between the country’s FTA commitments and its domestic law (the latter is less favourable than the former), this needs to be brought to the attention of the UK government. See the contacts in the support section on this page.
Categories of business person
Within the UK-Japan FTA, Japan provides access for the following categories of business person. A summary of the main categories and length of stay permitted is below. Please read the UK-Japan FTA Chapter 8, Section D, and Annexes III and IV to Annex 8-B, for each category to ensure you meet the criteria including applicable sectors.
Please note that final visa names are set by the destination country and may vary from the FTA text. Prospective visa applicants should check the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for full visa details and other immigration requirements.
Find information for:
- Short-Term Business Visitors (including Business Visitors for Establishment Purposes)
- Intra-Corporate Transferees
- Investors
- Independent Professionals
- Contractual Service Suppliers
In addition to the above, the CPTPP also provides access for:
- Qualified Professionals
Please read the full CPTPP definition in Annex 12-A Japan Temporary Entry.
In addition, for all categories of business person, excluding Business Visitors, Japan will allow a family dependent (spouse or offspring) the ability to enter Japan for the same length of time as the covered business person. Accompanying spouses may also apply for the right to work while residing in Japan, subject to meeting the relevant requirements and approval by the government of Japan.
Short-Term Business Visitors and Business Visitors for Establishment purposes
Please note, the below information is a summary of the commitments for both Short-Term Business Visitors (found within both the UK-Japan FTA and CPTPP) and Business Visitors for Establishment Purposes (found only within the UK-Japan FTA).
Short-Term Business Visitors and Business Visitors for Establishment Purposes are UK business people who are paid from a source outside of Japan. They should be seeking to travel to Japan for a relatively short amount of time for business purposes.
Applicable business purposes comprise the following activities:
- participating in business contracts
- negotiating for the sale of goods or services
- preparing for establishing a commercial presence in Japan
- other similar activities
Business Visitors, including Business Visitors for Establishment Purposes, can stay in Japan for up to 90 days, which may be extended, subject to meeting relevant immigration requirements.
Example: Are you a representative of a UK service supplier, planning to travel to Japan to negotiate the sale of a service? UK Business Visitors in this category have certainty that they can stay in Japan for up to 90 days, subject to meeting the relevant immigration requirements.
Intra-Corporate Transferees
Intra-Corporate Transferees are business persons employed by an enterprise of the UK, who are being transferred to a parent entity, subsidiary, or affiliate of their enterprise in Japan. Under the UK-Japan FTA, there are 2 types of Intra-Corporate Transferees:
The first are managers who are senior business persons managing the enterprise and receiving supervision or direction from the board of directors or stockholders.
Managers must be at least:
- directing the enterprise or a department of the enterprise
- supervising the work of other supervisory, professional, or managerial employees or able to recruit and dismiss, or recommend recruitment and dismissal, of personnel
The second are specialists who engage in activities which require technology or knowledge at an advanced level requiring completion of higher education or college education, and:
- are related to natural sciences, including physical sciences and engineering
- are related to human sciences, including jurisprudence, economics, business management, and accounting, or
- which require ideas and sensitivity based on cultures outside of Japan
CPTPP also includes those employed as:
- directing an enterprise as its board member or auditor
These business persons must have been employed for the enterprise for no less than 1 year immediately preceding the date of their application for temporary entry into Japan.
Intra-Corporate Transferees can stay in Japan for up to 5 years, subject to meeting the relevant immigration requirements. Under CPTPP, business persons granted temporary entry may be eligible to have their length of stay extended.
Japan has also committed to grant temporary entry and stay to the accompanying spouse and children for the same length of time as the Intra-Corporate Transferee under CPTPP. Accompanying spouses may also apply for the right to work while residing in Japan, subject to meeting the relevant requirements and approval by the government of Japan.
Example: Are you a UK based business looking to transfer a manager or specialist to a branch office in Japan? That employee could benefit from Intra-corporate Transferee provisions within the FTAs that will mean they can stay in Japan for up to 5 years alongside their spouse and any children, subject to meeting the relevant immigration requirements.
Investors
Investors are business people seeking to invest in and manage a business in Japan or to manage a business in Japan on behalf of that business’ investor who is of another Party.
Investors can stay in Japan for up to 5 years, subject to meeting the relevant immigration requirements. Under CPTPP, business persons granted temporary entry may be eligible to have their length of stay extended.
Japan shall also grant temporary entry and stay to an accompanying spouse and children for the same length of time as the Investor under CPTPP. Accompanying spouses may also apply for the right to work while residing in Japan, subject to meeting the relevant requirements and approval by the government of Japan.
Example: Are you looking to invest in and manage a business in Japan? You will have certainty that you can come to Japan for up to 5 years to do so, subject to meeting the relevant immigration requirements.
Qualified Professionals
Qualified Professionals are business persons in the legal, accounting, or taxation professions who are seeking to supply a service in Japan. The list of specified activities that a Qualified Professional can work in can be found in Annex 12-A Japan. Please note, these commitments are also covered under the UK-Japan FTA within the Independent Professional and Contractual Service Supplier categories.
Qualified Professionals can stay in Japan for up to 5 years, which may be extended, subject to meeting the relevant immigration requirements.
Japan shall also grant temporary entry and stay to an accompanying spouse and children for the same length of time as the Investor under CPTPP. Accompanying spouses may also apply for the right to work while residing in Japan, subject to meeting the relevant requirements and approval by the government of Japan.
Example: Are you an auditor seeking to supply your auditing services in Japan? You will have certainty that you can stay in Japan for up to 5 years, subject to meeting the relevant immigration requirements.
Independent Professionals
Independent Professionals are self-employed business persons engaged in a specialty occupation and supplying a service under contract in Japan.
Under CPTPP, they must:
- Undertake activities which require technology or knowledge at an advanced level requiring completion of higher education or college education, and:
- are related to natural sciences, including physical sciences and engineering
- are related to human sciences, including jurisprudence, economics, business management, and accounting or
- which require ideas and sensitivity based on cultures outside of Japan
2. Undertake activities for research or education, recognised under the heading of “professor” by Japan, at either:
- a university in Japan
- an equivalent educational institution in Japan ,or
- a college of technology in Japan
For the full list of applicable activities under CPTPP, see Annex 12-A Japan.
Under the UK-Japan FTA, Independent Professionals are also eligible if they supply:
- legal services (for the full list of applicable legal services, see Annex IV Japan)
- legal advisor services on law of home jurisdiction
- accounting, auditing, or bookkeeping services, or
- taxation services
Independent Professionals can stay in Japan for up to 5 years, subject to meeting the relevant immigration requirements. Under CPTPP, business persons granted entry may be eligible to have their length of stay extended.
Japan shall also grant temporary entry and stay to an accompanying spouse and children for the same length of time as the Investor under CPTPP. Accompanying spouses may also apply for the right to work while residing in Japan, subject to meeting the relevant requirements and approval by the government of Japan.
Example: Are you a self-employed engineer looking to carry out contractual work in Japan? You will qualify as an Independent Professional and will be eligible to stay in Japan for up to 5 years, subject to meeting the relevant immigration requirements.
Contractual Service Suppliers
Contractual Service Suppliers are business persons engaged in a specialty occupation and supplying a service as an employee of their enterprise, which has no commercial presence in Japan, under contract in Japan.
They must:
- Undertake activities which require technology or knowledge at an advanced level requiring completion of higher education or college education, and:
- are related to natural sciences, including physical sciences and engineering
- are related to human sciences, including jurisprudence, economics, business management, and accounting; or
- which require ideas and sensitivity based on cultures outside of Japan
For the full list of applicable activities, see Annex 12-A Japan.
2. Undertake activities for research or education, recognised under the heading of “professor” by Japan, at either:
- a university in Japan
- an equivalent educational institution in Japan, or
- a college of technology in Japan
Under the UK-Japan FTA, Contractual Service Suppliers are also eligible if they supply:
- legal services (for the full list of applicable legal services, see Annex IV Japan)
- legal advisor services on law of home jurisdiction
- accounting, auditing, or bookkeeping services or
- taxation services
Contractual Service Suppliers can stay in Japan for up to 5 years, subject to meeting the relevant immigration requirements. Under CPTPP, business persons granted temporary entry may be eligible to have their length of stay extended.
Japan shall also grant temporary entry and stay to accompanying spouse and children for the same length of time as the Investor under CPTPP. Accompanying spouses may also apply for the right to work while residing in Japan, subject to meeting the relevant requirements and approval by the government of Japan.
Example: Are you an accountant at a UK firm with a contract to provide accountancy services at a firm in Japan? As a Contractual Services Supplier, you will have the certainty that you can stay in Japan for up to 5 years, subject to meeting the relevant immigration requirements.
Further information on providing services in Japan
To provide a service in Japan you need to follow the terms set out in Japan’s legislation, including with respect to:
- getting an authorisation or licence to provide a service
- complying with local business regulations
- abiding by Japanese nationality requirements which could prevent you from providing services in some sectors
If in doubt, consider appointing an English-speaking lawyer in Japan to help you comply with specific regulations.
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: