Japan's Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba says the nation has won support from 2 South American countries to join negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement.

Gemba told reporters on Friday that Peru and Chile welcomed Japan's interest in joining the TPP talks. Japan sent officials to the 2 countries this week.

The Foreign Ministry says Japan has secured support from 4 of 9 countries involved. Vietnam and Brunei have already expressed a similar welcome.

Japan is to soon open negotiations with the remaining 5 nations, including the United States and Australia.

The US is likely to push for a further opening of Japan's agricultural and automobile markets. Talks with the US are scheduled to start next month.

News credit: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120127_22.html

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