Japan, U.S. Eye Talks on Trans-Pacific Partnership

Tokyo, Dec. 23 (Jiji Press)--Japan and the United States are
arranging to hold working-level talks in Washington in mid-January on a
trans-Pacific free trade agreement, it was learned Thursday.
Japanese representatives will collect information on the progress
and prospects of nine-country talks on expanding the Trans-Pacific
Partnership framework, informed sources said. The United States is
participating in the talks.
Officials from the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Economy, Trade
and Industry, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will
attend the meeting with the United States, the sources said.
Earlier in December, Japan held talks with New Zealand, Australia
and Singapore, all participants in the TPP talks.
The government plans to accelerate work to compile a policy on
revitalizing Japan's agriculture, while stepping up information-gathering
efforts through talks with the United States, the sources said.
Japan has effectively deferred a decision on whether to participate
in TPP negotiations due to strong opposition from the agricultural sector,
which is concerned about an influx of cheap farm produce from abroad.
The TPP was launched by Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore in
2006. Five other countries--Australia, Malaysia, Peru, the United States and
Vietnam--are in talks with the four current members to join the free trade
accord.