Trade and industry minister Yukio Edano has told a trade council chief that the Japanese government will actively promote negotiations for a Asia-Pacific free trade pact.

Edano made the comment in talks with Japan Foreign Trade Council chairman Shoei Utsuda in Tokyo on Monday.

Utsuda highly commended the government's decision to start talks with countries taking part in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Utsuda said the TPP is an important framework that would allow member countries to benefit from each other's growth and to develop together.

He asked that the government to actively engage in negotiations on the pact.

Edano said he is aware of various opinions both in and outside of Japan on economic partnerships. He said the government must bear in mind the importance of boosting free trade while considering Japan's medium to long-term position.

Edano said the government will aggressively engage in the TPP talks and other economic partnership agreements.

Edano also asked the trade industry to cooperate on making Japan's agriculture more competitive. He said trading companies have the know-how and experience in promoting exports.

Source: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20111212_18.html

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