January 2002 PM Koizumi proposed the Initiative for Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Ec onomic Partnership December 2002 -Japan s Prime

Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Philippines President G loria Arroyo announcement of interest to forge economic partnership between the two countries March 2003 informal start study by Philippine Institute for Development Studies May 2003 Creation of Philippine Coordinating Committee, with DFA Usec for Intern ational Economic Relations and DTI Secretary for International Trade as Co-chair s November 2003 Presentation of study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies February 2004 to July 2005 Formal negotiating sessions July to October 2005 Legal Review September 2006 Signing of JPEPA