Noda: Japan to begin talks with TPP members

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda says his government will begin consultations with participants in the Trans-Pacific Partnership as a step toward joining negotiations on the Pacific Rim free-trade framework. Noda says he will convey the decision to the leaders of the TPP member countries, including US President Barack Obama, at an APEC meeting in Hawaii this weekend.

The prime minister said at a news conference in Tokyo on Friday that an active debate took place among governing Democratic Party members, lawmakers and members of the public on whether Japan should join the TPP negotiations.

Noda said he carefully considered the issue by listening to the opinions of various groups before reaching the decision.

The Prime Minister said he will begin talks with the leaders of the TPP member countries toward joining the free-trade negotiations at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit that starts on Saturday.

As for the significance of the TPP, Noda said Japan has achieved prosperity as a trade-oriented country and that to pass that prosperous society on to future generations and to develop a more active society, Japan needs to tap into the strong growth potential of the Asia Pacific region.

Noda said he is determined to protect Japan's medical system, cultural tradition and beautiful villages, and to reconstruct a stable society supported by a large middle class.

He emphasized that his government will respect the way Japan's medicine and agriculture has developed.

Asked about his avoiding directly stating that Japan will participate in the TPP negotiations, Noda explained that this is just the first step in achieving what is best for national interests.

Noda said his remarks mean a step forward from the position described last year in an economic partnership guideline that says Japan holds talks to gather information.

Friday, November 11, 2011 22:23 +0900 (JST)