ID :
210635
Sat, 10/01/2011 - 17:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/210635
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Japan aims to decide stance on Pacific trade talks by Nov. summit
TOKYO, Oct. 1 Kyodo - Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will try to come up with a policy regarding Japan joining the trans-Pacific free trade negotiations by the time he attends the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit in November in Hawaii, government sources said Saturday.
The premier will convene a meeting of relevant Cabinet members soon to resume the internal coordination process, the sources said. That work was once meant to be finished by last June, but suspended in the wake of the March earthquake and tsunami.
Ministers are apparently divided over the matter, with Noda apparently in favor of joining the talks but Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano reluctant to join free-trade talks certain to put pressure on Japan to open its protected and politically sensitive farm market.
Among other key ministers, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano, in speaking to reporters during a visit to Singapore last month, expressed support for joining the talks.
Singapore is one of the nine countries now engaged in the talks. Those countries have set a goal of achieving a broad accord for the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement by November, when APEC leaders gather for an annual summit starting Nov. 12.
Noda, who met with U.S. President Barack Obama last month in New York, is expected to clarify his government's stance on the U.S.-led trade initiative when he meets again with Obama on the sidelines of APEC, the sources said.
The premier will convene a meeting of relevant Cabinet members soon to resume the internal coordination process, the sources said. That work was once meant to be finished by last June, but suspended in the wake of the March earthquake and tsunami.
Ministers are apparently divided over the matter, with Noda apparently in favor of joining the talks but Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano reluctant to join free-trade talks certain to put pressure on Japan to open its protected and politically sensitive farm market.
Among other key ministers, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yukio Edano, in speaking to reporters during a visit to Singapore last month, expressed support for joining the talks.
Singapore is one of the nine countries now engaged in the talks. Those countries have set a goal of achieving a broad accord for the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement by November, when APEC leaders gather for an annual summit starting Nov. 12.
Noda, who met with U.S. President Barack Obama last month in New York, is expected to clarify his government's stance on the U.S.-led trade initiative when he meets again with Obama on the sidelines of APEC, the sources said.
