The government is preparing to join the 19th round of talks over the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which are to start Thursday in Brunei and will be this nation's first opportunity to participate in a full round of negotiations.

Prior to the TPP meet, Japan is also set to attend a meeting of cabinet ministers from nations negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) scheduled to begin Monday.

The government appears hoping to accelerate economic cooperation by participating in these two major Asia-centered trade talks.

2 major challenges

At a meeting of TPP-related Cabinet ministers Thursday, Akira Amari, minister in charge of TPP issues, indicated the government viewed the upcoming talks as critical.

"For Japan, Brunei and the next meeting are two major challenges," he said.

Japan participated in a few days of the previous round of talks in Malaysia in July, but was unable to join discussions over tariffs.

The upcoming meeting in Brunei, which is to conclude at the end of the month, will be Japan's first chance to join the deliberations over tariffs-the biggest focus of the negotiations.

Japan's initial proposal to be presented to the other participating nations will include a liberalization rate-the percentage of trade goods for which tariffs would be removed-of about 80 percent, treating the five important items of rice, wheat, beef and pork, dairy products, and farm products used in sweeteners such as sugarcane as "pending."

The United States, which is leading the negotiations, hopes to move deliberations along quickly in Brunei to meet the goals of a basic agreement in October and a full agreement within the year. U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman is scheduled to meet with Amari during a visit to Japan from Sunday to Tuesday.

However, as difficulties remain regarding tariffs and other areas, many doubt the possibility of a deal by year-end. On Thursday, a representative from Malaysia, which is taking preferential policies toward its domestic companies, said the talks should not be shackled by a predetermined schedule.

Foundation sought

A meeting of cabinet ministers from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand-the 16 nations negotiating the RCEP-is scheduled to begin Monday, the first such talks since negotiations were launched in May.

The ministers are expected to agree to maintain their target of reaching an agreement over lowering tariffs, liberalizing the investment and services sectors, and other areas by the end of 2015.

Holding the TPP meeting in Brunei was partially so it would coincide with the RCEP meet, as several countries are participating in both.

Similar to the TPP, it is hoped the RCEP will form a foundation for the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, which is being sought by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum. If both talks proceed smoothly, they could benefit Japan's trade-based development.

Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshimitsu Motegi is scheduled to join a meeting of ASEAN-related economy ministers, at which he hopes to gain understanding for Japan's growth strategy, which incorporates demand from developing countries, and strengthen commitment to the road map for economic cooperation decided at last year's meeting.

By the-japan-news.com

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