News
The fifth Japan-EU Joint Customs Cooperation Committee （JCCC） was held in Brussels on June 27, 2012. The Director General of the Customs and Tariff Bureau at the Ministry of Finance of Japan, Mr. Atsuo Shibota, and the Director General of Taxation and Customs Union at the European Commission, Mr. Heinz Zourek, chaired the meeting. The JCCC oversees the implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the European Union on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters. Discussions at the fifth JCCC were wide-ranging; the highlights are outlined below.
Delegates considered the progress made regarding the mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operators （AEOs）. The implementation of mutual recognition began in May 2011 and has proceeded smoothly. It contributes to further enhancing supply chain security as well as facilitating legitimate trade between Japan and the EU. Based on these foundations, it was agreed that a more permanent technical solution for the exchange of information, as well as potential further benefits for reliable traders, should be discussed. Experts will continue to look into ways to make the current cooperation even more efficient and effective.
On risk management, Japan and the EU have made good progress on understanding each other's risk management systems. Moving forward, the focus should now center on exploring more concrete collaborative projects in this area.
Participants reflected on the well-functioning cooperation between Japan and the was agreed that while this good cooperation must be maintained, Japan and the EU should also continue to work together in international fora ? and possibly contemplate enhancing their strategic cooperation - in order to enhance the protection of Japan and EU citizens from counterfeit goods.
