42 New Geographical Indications Protected for Both the EU and Japan

The Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Japan stands out as one of the most significant agreements, particularly in the agri-food sector. Japan ranks as the EU's fifth-largest market for agrifood exports. Notable products exported by the EU to Japan encompass pork, wines and spirits, cigars and cigarettes, cheese, chocolate, sugar confectionery, and various processed agricultural goods. In return, the EU primarily imports items such as soups and sauces, vegetable products, as well as food and cereal preparations from Japan.

The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, which became effective on February 1, 2019, provides protection for specified agri-food names against imitation and misappropriation. This protection results in mutual trade advantages and introduces consumers to guaranteed, genuine products from two regions renowned for their culinary and cultural heritage. Prior to this recent addition, both parties had safeguarded 263 EU Geographical Indications (GIs) and 112 Japanese GIs, totaling 375 registered food and beverage products.

In the framework of this agreement, both parties will protect an additional 42 geographical indications (GIs), such as Raclette de Savoie, Vinagre de Jerez for the EU and sanuki shiro miso (miso paste), or Osaka wine for Japan.