Category Archives: Trade Talks

TOKYO, Oct. 21 — Japan is keeping an eye on a move by New Zealand’s incoming Labour Party-led government, which could undermine the prospects of a planned Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal without the United States. “The new government has expressed an intention to modify policies including the TTP,” said Japan’s TPP Minister Toshimitsu Motegi at a press conference on Oct. 20. “We will wait and see.” Agriculture Minister Ken Saito has echoed the caution expressed by Motegi. With the support of the Greens and NZ First parties, NZ’s prime minister-elect Jacinda Ardern said she will implement policies to ban foreign buyers from purchasing existing homes and she will also renegotiate … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Oct. 18 — Japan’s finance ministry has called for a cut in the budget allocated to farm support.　This includes programs to help adjust to increased agricultural food products entering Japan following the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. The ministry’s fiscal system council, which advises the finance minister, stressed on Oct. 17 it wants to review agricultural support programs related to the TPP, as the United States pulled out of the regional trade deal in January. And the council’s intention goes beyond the TPP. In July, Tokyo and Brussels reached a political deal on the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The governing party as well as farm lobby groups have stepped … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Oct. 18 — The United States has reiterated a strong interest in pursuing a new bilateral trade agreement with Japan during a high-level meeting, according to informed sources. Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso met U.S. Vice President Mike Pence in the second round of Japan-the U.S. Economic Dialogue that took place on Oct. 16 in Washington, DC. During the meeting, they made some progress on bilateral trade issues, including the lifting of restrictions on Japanese persimmon and on U.S. potatoes from Idaho. Tokyo also agreed to streamline testing procedures for American automobile exports. “Both sides affirmed that they would intensify work to achieve further progress in the near … Continue reading →

TOKYO, Sept. 27 — European food safety experts have approved the relaxation of food import restrictions from Japanese regions hit by the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011. That will likely pave the way for the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, to allow some Japanese agriculture products, including Fukushima-made rice, to enter the bloc without radiation testing certification. On Sept. 25, the EU standing committee on food safety approved a proposal by the commission to remove radiation testing certification on some foods from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant areas, before they are granted access into European markets. Currently, food imports from the regions need to be accompanied … Continue reading →