Category Archives: Trade Talks

【Interviews】 Evaluating Japan-U.S. bilateral talks under TPP (Sept. 26, 2014)

  Hiroshi Isoda, associate professor at Kyushu University Graduate School We have seen reports at home and abroad saying Japan presented a “proposal with flexibility” in the minister-level bilateral negotiations with the United States under the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks which ended Wednesday, Sept. 24. We cannot be sure of what the government exactly presented unless it is disclosed to the public, but if the situation is as reported, we must assume that the proposals indicate further compromises by the Japanese side, considering that Japan had taken the latest round of talks as the crucial point in the negotiations. Japan could have made concessions even more than the level agreed … Continue reading

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【News】 Japan, U.S. fail to narrow gaps on agriculture, autos in TPP (Sept. 26, 2014)

  Satomi Tamai – Washington Japan and the United States ended the two-day ministerial negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks on Wednesday, Sept. 24, in Washington, failing to narrow the gaps on the automobile sector and tariffs on farm products. Lack of progress by the two countries leading the talks, without any prospects or specific schedule set to resume the negotiations, clouds a goal set by President Barack Obama for the 12 participating countries to reach a broad agreement in November. At the same time, farmers are worried as the Japanese government is considering some compromises regarding tariffs on agricultural products, including key sensitive items. Japan “made a proposal … Continue reading

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【Focus】 TPP negotiators fail to narrow gaps; pressure rising toward yearend (Sept. 12, 2014)

  The two tracks of the current negotiations under the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks – bilateral working-level talks between Japan and the United States over tariffs on key agricultural products and the meeting of chief negotiators from all 12 participating countries to discuss issues concerning rules – both ended Wednesday, Sept. 10, with many hurdles still left before striking a deal. Japan and the U.S. began seeking chances of making progress on the ministerial level, as U.S. President Barack Obama is eager to reach a broad agreement under the TPP scheme in November. Concerns are rising over the possibility of Japan making concessions on key farm products under U.S. pressure … Continue reading

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【News】 Agriculture minister pledges to attract companies to rural villages (Sept. 11, 2014)

  Agriculture minister Koya Nishikawa said Wednesday, Sept. 10, that the government will make use of tax incentives and other measures to encourage private companies such as food product manufacturers to set up plants in rural villages. Speaking at a symposium held in JA Aichi Toyota, an agricultural co-operative in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, Nishikawa told farmers and JA officials that the government will make utmost efforts to double farmers’ incomes. In order to meet the goal, Nishikawa said it is important to support cooperation between farmers and companies under the “sixth industry” initiative – adding value to farm products by letting farmers engage in processing and marketing – and create … Continue reading

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【News】 TPP Minister Amari seeks basic agreements in Japan-U.S. Talks (Sept. 7, 2014)

  The government will seek early settlement of the Japan-U.S. talks concerning tariffs on agricultural products, trying to reach basic agreements of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks, Akira Amari, minister in charge of Economic Revitalization and TPP indicated in the interview with the Japan Agricultural News and others. To reach the basic agreements in November that U.S. President Barack Obama aims at, the Japan-U.S. talks need to be concluded and the ministerial meeting has be held in October, Amari said. “President Obama has set the basic agreements in November as a goal, and the negotiations are moving toward it”, Amari said. “We have to plan two events (Japan-U.S. talks and … Continue reading

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