ISDS Case Map
Japan
The Thai and Japanese governments yesterday ironed out the last details before the free trade agreement takes effect on November 1. FTA Watch member Jacquechai Chomthongdi said the activist group would bring the case to the Constitutional Court as the new Thai constitution requires transparent consideration of all international treaties, including the trade deal signed with Japan.
Japanese civil and consumer rights groups have thrown their support behind the Thai anti-FTA movement by petitioning their own government not to rush into signing the Thai-Japan free trade agreement with the interim Surayud Chulanont administration.
Nursing students staged in Manila a rally against the ratification of the proposed Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) for fear that Filipino nurses will only end up as nursing aides or attendants in Japan.
After three hearings, the proposed trade treaty between the Philippines and Japan is on the verge of defeat in the Senate after government officials again failed to convince the senators of the treaty's benefits to the country.
The Thai government has decided to conduct an exchange of diplomatic notes with the Japanese government on 2 October 2007, which will put the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) into effect within 30 days without bringing the matter under the scrutiny of the National Legislative Assembly. Prime Minister Surayut Chulanont defiantly announced that he would resign if ever a petition was made to the Constitutional Court and his decision proved to be in violation of the constitution.
Thailand's Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont should think carefully before effecting the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) on November 1 without legislative body approval because such an action could violate the constitution, according to the FTA Watch group.
Philippine government negotiators have failed anew to answer basic questions from senators on the benefits of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) to the country. During today's hearing, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, chairman of the committee on foreign relations, told government negotiators: “If I find it impossible to defend it on the Senate on the basis of your statement, then as chair, I will be compelled to defer submission of my committee reports. In other words, JPEPA will be dead.”
Cause-oriented groups under the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on Thursday picketed the Philippine Senate to coincide with hearings on the Japan Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement.
India is likely to become an important sourcing hub for global auto maker Honda once the Indo-Asean free trade agreement (FTA) comes into operation
Philippine government officials are having a hard time justifying the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement to the Senate
