The Government of Japan and the Government of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea,

Recognising the importance of foreign investment for national development, economic growth and general welfare of the citizens in Japan and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea (hereinafter referred to as “the Contracting Parties”);

Desiring to promote investment in order to strengthen the economic relationship between the Contracting Parties;

Intending to create stable, equitable and favourable conditions for greater investment by investors of a Contracting Party in the Area of the other Contracting Party;

Recognising that economic development, social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing pillars of sustainable development and that cooperative efforts of the Contracting Parties to promote investment can play an important role in enhancing sustainable development;

Recognising also that these objectives can be achieved without relaxing health, safety and environmental measures of general application;

Acknowledging the importance of the cooperative relationship between labour and management in promoting investment between the Contracting Parties; and

Convinced that this Agreement will contribute to the further development of the overall relationship between the Contracting Parties;

Have agreed as follows: