Tag Archives: News

【News】 Abe declares Japan will join TPP (March 16, 2013)

  Prime Minister Shinzo Abe formally announced Friday, March 15, in a press conference at his official residence that Japan will take a seat at the negotiating table for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks. Abe explained that it “is the last chance” for Japan to take part in the rule-making process of a free trade framework in the Asia-Pacific region, and expressed determination to defend the nation’s interests, saying that the government will “protect what should be protected, and gain what should be gained.” There is no guarantee, however, that the key agricultural products, which the Liberal Democratic Party indicated as exceptions, will be exempted from tariff elimination, and the … Continue reading

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【News】 TPP: No guarantee for exceptions; Abe, who met Obama, is determined to make decision soon; Anti-TPP campaign reaches its crucial stage (Feb. 24, 2013)

  Takanori Okabe Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the first summit meeting with United States President Barack Obama on Friday, February 22 (Saturday, February 23, Japan time). Concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade talks, Abe said in a press conference held after the meeting that the two governments “confirmed that they are not required to make a prior commitment to unilaterally eliminate all tariffs without exceptions.” On the issue of whether to join the TPP negotiations, Abe said that he “hopes to make a decision as soon as possible” after returning to Japan and making explanations to the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner New Komeito. In the summit … Continue reading

Posted in Trade Talks | Tagged | Comments Off on 【News】 TPP: No guarantee for exceptions; Abe, who met Obama, is determined to make decision soon; Anti-TPP campaign reaches its crucial stage (Feb. 24, 2013)