Brussels, 01/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 30 November, the European Union and Japan signed their first agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. The agreement is all the more valuable since none of the EU's 27 members has a similar bilateral agreement with Japan. The agreement covers a wide array of measures, including gathering of witness statements, interviews by videoconference, evidence gathering, including by means of searches or seizures, obtaining bank statements, the temporary transfer of detainees and involvement in proceedings linked to the freezing or seizure of assets. Any member state will still be able to refuse the mutual assistance if the request relates to a crime for which the death penalty exists in Japan. (B.C./transl.rt)