Trump says he might consider rejoining TPP, if it benefits the US

TOKYO, Jan. 28 — A few days after 11 Pacific Rim countries paved the way for signing a new Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) without the United States, President Donald Trump said he might consider rejoining the trade pact, if he could get a “better deal” for his country. “If we did a substantially better deal, I would be open to TPP,” Trump told CNBC at the sidelines of World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. He said he would be willing to renegotiate with TPP countries, “individually, or perhaps as a group, if it is in the interests of all”. In his delivery to the world business and political leaders … Continue reading

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【Editorial】Never renegotiate TPP deal even with Trump’s change in stance(Jan. 29)

It was only a year ago that U.S. President Donald Trump moved to “permanently withdraw” the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. An about-face came, however, when Trump said all of a sudden that he would consider rejoining the free trade deal. His real intentions are unclear, but he would never withdraw his “America First” policies. He shouldn’t get a warm welcome and there is no way TPP members can renegotiate the trade pact. In his address to the annual gathering of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump told government and business leaders he would be willing to negotiate with countries that are part of the TPP … Continue reading

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Japan’s Foreign Ministry launches campaign on Japanese rice for diners in Beijing and Shanghai, also promoting online retailers

TOKYO, Jan. 23 – On January 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan launched a campaign to promote rice produced in Japan in cooperation with Japanese restaurants in two major cities in China. A total of 26 Japanese restaurants in Beijing and Shanghai are providing specialty meals using rice from Japan, such as hitsumabushi (grilled and chopped eel on rice) and yaki-onigiri (grilled seasoned rice balls). The campaign is also to introduce the diners Internet shopping sites that sell Japanese rice. This way, it intends to make more people buy and eat them and expand the exports. For 19 days until February 11, 12 sushi bars and izakaya casual … Continue reading

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Insects attract attention as the wonder food of the future

TOKYO, Jan. 10 – Insect eating, which has traditionally been common in Japanese rural villages, is recently drawing attention, with an exhibition held in Ina, Nagano Prefecture, and a pub in Tokyo offering dishes of edible insects such as grasshoppers. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has also been promoting edible insects as the potential food source of the future. Insects – popular menu item and important source of food to fight hunger At Rice and Circus, an izakaya pub restaurant in Tokyo’s Takadanobaba district which mainly serves game meat, many customers ask for a combo dish with six varieties of bugs. The dish, although priced rather high … Continue reading

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Abe renews pledges to advance farm reform and trade deals

TOKYO, Jan. 23 — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has renewed his pledges for agricultural reform and early entry into force of recently-signed trade deals at an opening of a new session of parliament. But he didn’t specifically mention his intention to overhaul the nation’s largest farmers’ group as he used to. In a Jan. 22 policy speech at the first regular parliamentary session of the year, Abe said: “I will push to reform the entire sectors of agriculture, forestry and fisheries.” He also said he will seek early entry into force of the Comprehensive Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Japan-EU free trade agreement. “Japan, as a standard bearer … Continue reading

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