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2.2. The overall economic policy of Japan continues to be guided by the evolving Abenomics programme, which has two key goals: Achieving Sustainable Growth, and Realizing Society 5.0. (...) The goal of Realizing Society 5.0 is to enhance human comfort and sustainability, and resolve social challenges, such as the declining birth rate, an ageing population, and environmental and energy issues, through the development and use of new innovations, including the Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence, robotics, and the sharing economy.

2.3. As part of the implantation strategy for the Abenomics programme, the 2016 Japan Revitalization Strategy is being pursued. (...) Initiatives being implemented are: (...) promotion of technology in the fields of health care, the environment and energy; (...)

Table 2.1 Major trade-related laws and regulations, November 2019
(...)
Legislation: Services and energy
(...)
Title: Law Concerning the Measures by Large-Scale Retail Stores for Preservation of the Living Environment (1998 Law No. 91)
Latest Amendment: 2000

2.18. Japan signed the CPTPP on 8 March 2018, and the agreement entered into force for Japan on 30 December 2018. The agreement covers both trade in goods and services (...)
2.22. The CPTPP has provisions on, inter alia: (...) labour; environment; (...)

2.25. The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) has provisions on, inter alia, (...) ); trade and sustainable development; agricultural cooperation; and SMEs.

2.30. Japan is member of APEC , which accounted for 74% of its trade (imports and exports) in 2018 (...)
2.31. (...) Other key areas of the APEC's work over the review period related, inter alia, to: (...) increasing the APEC's competitiveness in the services sector by 2025; developing policies to take advantage of global value chains; advancing economic, financial and social inclusion; and ensuring food security and sustainability.

Table 2.3 Selected features of RTAs in force
Title (Entry into force); Goods Liberalization; Selected Coverage [a]; Japan's Merchandise Trade

EU-Japan EPA (01.02.2019); (...); S, GP, CP, E, L, e-com; (...)
CPTPP (30.12.2018); (...); S, GP, CP, E, L, e-com; (...)
(...)
Peru-Japan EPA (01.03.2012); (...); S, GP, CP, E; (...)
India-Japan EPA (01.08.2011); (...); S, GP, CP, E; (...)
Viet Nam- Japan EPA (01.10.2009); (...); S, GP, CP, E; (...)
Switzerland-Japan EPA (01.09.2009); (...); S, GP, CP, E, e-com; (...)
Philippines-Japan EPA (11.12.2008); (...); S, GP, CP, E, L, e-com; (...)
(...)
Brunei-Darussalam-Japan EPA (31.07.2008); (...); S, GP, E; (...)
Indonesia-Japan EPA (01.07.2008); (...); S, GP, CP, E; (...)
Thailand-Japan EPA (01.11.2007); (...); S, GP, CP, E, e-com; (...)
(...)
Malaysia-Japan EPA (13.07.2006); (...); S, CP, E; (...)
Mexico-Japan EPA (01.04.2005); (...); S, GP, CP, E, L; (...)
(...)

[a] Services (S); government procurement (GP); competition policy (CP); environment (E); labour (L); e-commerce (e-com).

2.38. The Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA) and its implementing regulations set out prior notification and approval requirements for industries where it is considered that there could be "significant adverse effect on the smooth management of the national economy". These include: agriculture, forestry and fisheries, crude oil, leather and leather products, and air and maritime transport. (...) The FEFTA and its implementing regulations also set out prior notification and approval requirements in some other sectors, on the grounds of public order, public safety, and national security. These sectors include: aircraft, arms, explosives, nuclear power, electric utilities, gas utilities, water, (...)

Box 2.1 Investment framework
(...)
Membership of investment-related intergovernmental agreements: (...) and the Energy Charter Treaty.

2.44. (...) The authorities indicated that efforts are also being made by the SME Agency Japan to help these companies deal with structural transformation challenges, such as ageing business owners, labour shortages, natural disaster prevention, and mitigation measures. In July 2019, the Act on the Strengthening of the Management of SMEs was enacted; this aims to strengthen SME management, and support the continuation of their business activities, particularly in light of the ageing of business owners. In order to help SMEs prepare for natural disasters, the Government established a plan approval system for specific measures SMEs should take before natural disasters, and strengthened the support systems of the Society of Commerce and Industry and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (...)