LOC17:47
14:47 GMT
TOKYO, Nov 11 (KUNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Friday
announced that Japan will join negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership
(TPP) free trade agreement to boost the domestic economy, despite mounting
opposition within his ruling Democratic Party of Japan and agriculture sector.
"We have decided to start talks with related countries at the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting toward joining negotiations. I believe
joining the TPP talks will serve Japan's national interest," Noda told a news
conference. "We will protect what needs to be protected, and win what we need
to gain," the premier said ahead of his departure for the two-day APEC summit
due Saturday in Hawaii, where he is expected to discuss the issue with US
President Barack Obama and other leaders involved in the TPP talks.
His announcement was delayed by one day following his own party's call for
cautious to enter the talks for the US-backed TPP. Some lawmakers and farm
groups have voiced opposition to joining the tariff-cutting pact due to
concern that a massive flow of cheap food imports would damage Japan's heavily
protected agriculture sector.
On the other hand, the business community supports government's stance on
the matter, stressing the need to achieve economic growth by increasing their
exports to other countries and expanding regional trade and investment.
The free trade pact was launched by Singapore, New Zealand, Chile and
Brunei in 2006, and negotiations are under way to expand the framework by
including five other Asia-Pacific countries -- Australia, Malaysia, Peru, the
US and Vietnam. (end)
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