Govt to explain TPP stance to U.S.
Daily Yomiuri, Japan
Govt to explain TPP stance to U.S.
6 April 2012
WASHINGTON(Jiji Press)—The government will try to make sure the United States understands its stance toward the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations, according to Katsuyuki Ishida, senior vice minister at the Cabinet Office.
After meeting separately with Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and Undersecretary of State Robert Hormats, Ishida told reporters Thursday that issues regarding Japan’s automotive, insurance and postal service sectors were discussed.
As the meetings revealed a gap in perceptions between Tokyo and Washington over TPP negotiation matters, Ishida said he told U.S. officials that Japan would explain its thoughts at ongoing preliminary talks with the United States regarding its participation in TPP negotiations.
Ishida also said that Marantis assured him that Japan’s universal health insurance system and unskilled labor market will not be on the TPP agenda.
When Wendy Cutler, assistant U.S. trade representative, visited Japan earlier this year, she said there was no need for Japan to worry about those issues, a view which was confirmed by Marantis, Ishida said.
