Yuji Yamamoto, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan, told the press after the cabinet meeting on April 21 that he will take a cautious attitude toward a proposal on effectuation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade pact without the United States, which his government is aiming toward, saying “As far as I am concerned, I would like to consider this issue deliberately.”
Shinzo Abe’s administration had been negative about looking to implementation of so-called “an 11-nation TPP” without the U.S., but recently changed its position because the U.S. government is unlikely to return to the TPP.
MAFF’s Minister Yamamoto also pointed out that the U.S. and EU will possibly further push for greater access to the Japanese market at future trade negotiations, depending on how Japan will cope with the 11-nation TPP.
Minister Yamamoto emphasized the necessity of investigating possible influences on domestic agriculture to be exerted by effectuation of the TPP without the U.S., saying “We will make a decision after considering from every angle effective measures to cope with various situations in proper ways.”