Singapore hopes Japan will join TPP talks

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has expressed hope that Japan will join free trade talks under the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement as soon as possible.

Lee met Japan's Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba on Wednesday. Gemba is on a 3-nation tour of Southeast Asia.

Gemba told Lee that Japan will soon decide whether to join the TPP talks.

Lee said he would welcome Japan's participation, and that he wants the country to play a role before the overall framework of the agreement is set.

Gemba also met Singapore's Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam, who stressed the strategic importance of US involvement in the Asia-Pacific region, not only in terms of economic cooperation.

Gemba later told reporters that it's crucial for Japan to make the right decision on its own regarding the TPP talks.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 18:43 +0900 (JST)