The United Arab Emirates and Japan have agreed on the final provisions of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on 6 March 2026. This deal is the first of its kind that Japan has concluded with an Arab country and marks a significant step in the longstanding trade and diplomatic relationship between the two nations.
The announcement was made during an official visit to Tokyo by Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Envoy of the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs to Japan, who was accompanied by Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade. The UAE delegation met with Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, during which both sides confirmed that negotiations had been successfully concluded.
The launch of CEPA negotiations was announced jointly by UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Japan’s then Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in September 2024, within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) initiative that was established when Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, visited Japan in September 2022.
The CEPA covers a range of priority sectors and is designed to enhance trade and investment flows between the two countries. The deal is expected to expand private sector cooperation in advanced technology, logistics, cybersecurity, healthcare, and education. It will also open avenues for partnership in research and development, smart mobility, energy security, financial services, and digital transformation.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that for Japanese vehicles, the UAE has agreed to eliminate tariffs on major finished vehicles imported from Japan within seven years of the agreement entering into force. This deal is Japan’s first Economic Partnership Agreement with a country in the Middle East. Both sides also agreed to continue working towards the formal signing of the agreement.
During the official visit to Tokyo, Dr Sultan Al Jaber also met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the Prime Minister’s office, during which he delivered a written letter from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan pertaining to bilateral cooperation and the strengthening of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. In his meeting with Foreign Minister Motegi, both ministers agreed to continue using the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Initiative (CSPI) framework to strengthen coordination in sectors including artificial intelligence and space.
Upon the successful conclusion of CEPA negotiations, Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi stated, “The positive outcomes of our CEPA negotiations with Japan, one of the world’s largest economies and a key member of the G7, are a significant step forward in enhancing UAE-Japan relations. By removing trade barriers and facilitating increased investment flows, this CEPA will unlock new avenues for our private sectors, fostering lasting partnerships that benefit both countries and contribute to our sustainability goals and shared prosperity.”
The last, seventh round of negotiations for the CEPA took place in January 2026.
Both governments confirmed they would continue to cooperate towards the formal signing of the CEPA. No date has been set for the signing ceremony.
