Mainichi Daily News, Japan

Japan, U.S. arranging for preliminary TPP talks soon

2 February 2012

TOKYO (Kyodo) — Japan and the United States are arranging to begin preliminary talks at an early date on Japan’s future participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations, Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said Wednesday.

Tokyo is planning to start the talks as early as next Tuesday, the results of which could hold the key to whether Japan can join the rule-making discussions for the U.S.-led tariff-cutting pact, government sources said.

The Japanese government declared its intention last year to enter into the TPP negotiations. Japan has to secure approval for its participation from the nine countries currently involved in the talks.

Vietnam, Brunei, Peru and Chile have so far expressed their support for Japan to formally take part in the TPP negotiations, government officials said. Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore are the other nations involved.

Tokyo hopes to join the full TPP talks as early as May, but the plan could be delayed depending on the discussions with Washington, the Japanese officials said.

The United States is likely to call on Japan at the preliminary talks to accept the TPP principle of repealing tariffs, including those on politically sensitive farm products, they said.

The U.S. side is also expected to discuss Japanese agricultural reform and expansion of U.S. vehicle and beef imports, while Tokyo has yet to obtain public understanding on the issues, the officials added.