Mode Four of GATS may cover a wide range of persons, from high-level engineers to unskilled workers. In the FTA, Japan mainly commits with respect to highly qualified professionals. Those commitments go substantially beyond Japan’s commitments under the GATS. Japan also has a number of other economic partnership treaties granting access to foreign professionals of various categories.

The EU-Japan EPA grants professionals from EU countries access to Japan beyond what is secured by GATS. Access for short term business visitors (STBV) is outlined in the treaty for those employed by firms doing business in the host country. There are no quotas for STBV.STBV are tied to EU-based employers.

To read the factsheet, please click here.

The complete text of the EPA, and Annexes can be found on the following website of the European Commission: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=1684.