Japan and the European Union will begin preparatory talks on Monday to decide on which sectors they are to tackle in free trade agreement negotiations.

The 3 days of talks will take place in Brussels, Belgium.

Japan called for starting Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations earlier, while the EU was cautious.

Japan wants tariffs on automobiles and household electrical appliances abolished. The EU wants Japan to ease safety standards for automobiles.

Japan hopes to begin full-fledged negotiations in the coming spring. It sees the EPA with the European Union as essential in competing with South Korea, which already has a free trade agreement with the EU.

News credit: http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20120122_08.html

Image credit: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/international/media/photos/cooperating-governments_japan.jpg