CJSBC Event Report: BC's Economic Outlook and the future of BC-Japan Trade

On February 8, the Canada-Japan Society of BC (CJSBC) and the Japan Co-op Program, co-hosted a panel discussion on BC’s economic outlook and the future of BC-Japan trade.

Moderated by Julian Dierkes, Associate Professor and Keidanren Chair in Japanese Research, UBC Institute of Asian Research, the well-attended luncheon featured guest speakers Don Davies, MP for Vancouver Kingsway Federal Riding and co-chair of the Standing Committee for International Trade; Bruce Ralston, MLA for Surrey-Whalley Provincial Constituency and Opposition Critic for Finance and Public Accounts. Also speaking was Seiji Okada, newly arrived Consul General of Japan and Honorary Chair of the CJSBC.

Don Davies, M.P. who recently traveled to Japan with the International Trade Committee, confirmed the agreement of support by the opposition parties for a free trade agreement (EPA) with the Asian economic giant. He added that while Japan and Canada acknowledge similar sensitivities on agriculture, an EPA would bring reductions in tariffs and regulatory requirements enhancing business opportunities for Canadian companies.

Citing some of the missteps that have occurred in the bilateral relationship including the closure of Canadian consulates in Japan and the relocation to the Philippines of Canadian Visa processing services, Mr. Davies stated his party is in the process of making specific recommendations in a supplementary report to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government, that calls for the re-opening of the consulates in Osaka and an increased Canadian trade commissioner presence for Japan.

Bruce Ralston MLA, then spoke on the importance of the Canada-Japan relationship for British Columbia and added that while current government priority favors other Asian regions such as China and India, with Japan in the shadow, it is imperative that the focus should change to help foster a stronger economic relationship with Japan, the world’s third largest economy.

He added that his party is supportive of the LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) sector’s development to help meet Japan’s new energy demand and that a revitalized tourism sector that would work closely with airlines and travel agencies stem the decline of Japanese tourists to Canada.

For more information on the EPA negotiations with Japan, visit www.cccj.or.jp.

By Neil Moody

Former CCCJ Executive Director and current Special Representative