This paper critically reviews agricultural protection in Japan in the era of regionalism. From detailed investigation on Japanese import patterns and trade barriers for agricultural products in its major FTAs/EPAs, we found a certain degree of liberalizing effects from FTA/EPA negotiations, particularly in ‶sectors being liberalized". However, agricultural products under "structural protectionism" and "local protectionism" tend to be classified as those excluded from tariff removal or re-negotiated. Furthermore, complicated protection structure remains. With multilateral liberalization stuck, agricultural protection may severely constraint the degree of freedom in strategic moves. Japan should be serious in agricultural sector reform for its own benefit.

The former version of this paper was presented at the Tenth International Convention of the East Asian Economic Association held in Beijing on November 18‒19, 2006.