The Business Council of Canada (BCC) and Keidanren, leading national business associations in Canada and Japan, have long cooperated to strengthen Canada-Japan economic relations through continued dialogue and exchanges. In December 2025, both organizations reaffirmed this cooperation through a Memorandum of Cooperation, with the aim of further deepening business-to-business exchange and enhancing policy dialogue.
On the occasion of the Team Canada Trade Mission to Japan in June 2026, following the Japan-Canada Summit Meeting in March 2026, the BCC and Keidanren present the following shared private sector priorities to further strengthen economic relations between the two countries.
1. Trade Policy
Canada and Japan are leaders in promoting free and open trade, including through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Both sides support the CPTPP’s continued expansion with partners that uphold high standards, contributing to a rules-based Asia-Pacific economic order. Japanese companies also rely on Canada’s network of trade agreements, especially the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). It is important to maintain the CUSMA’s three-party framework and secure an extension of the Agreement up to 2042.
2. Investment and Business Environment
There is significant and growing interest in two-way investment between Canada and Japan. Both countries should continue to promote a predictable, transparent and stable business environment to facilitate investment, including through efforts to modernize the bilateral tax treaty. The promotion of bilateral investment will be critical to advancing cooperation in key sectors such as energy, critical minerals, advanced technologies and other strategic industries.
In addition, promoting greater people-to-people exchanges between Canada and Japan will further support investment, innovation and deeper economic ties.
3. Energy
Recent global developments have underscored the vulnerability of existing supply chains and the importance of energy security. Canada and Japan should deepen cooperation in diverse energy sources, including oil, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and uranium. Continued investment in resource development, export infrastructure in Canada and utilization infrastructure in Japan will be key to strengthening resilient energy supply chains.
4. Critical Minerals
Critical minerals are essential for a wide range of industries, including AI and semiconductor-related technologies. At the same time, it is important to build diversified and resilient supply chains. Canada’s resource potential, combined with Japanese technological capabilities, offers strong opportunities for cooperation across the value chain, including development, refining and manufacturing.
5. Advanced Technologies and Innovation
Collaboration in advanced technology fields, including AI, digital technologies and innovation ecosystems such as startups, will be increasingly important to economic security. Both countries should promote cooperation among private sector actors to drive innovation and competitiveness.
We also look forward to deeper cooperation between Canada and Japan in the security area, building on the strong foundation of our economic partnership.
The BCC and Keidanren remain committed to strengthening Canada-Japan economic relations and will continue to promote close cooperation between the private sectors of both countries.
