Japanese gov’t seeks industry lobbies’ opinions on TPP
Kyodo News International | June 17, 2013
Japanese gov’t seeks industry lobbies’ opinions on TPP
The Japanese government on Monday sought opinions of industry lobbies and organizations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade negotiations the country will join from next month.
During a briefing in Tokyo on the outline and expected impact of the TPP talks, the government requested participants provide examples of specific issues they face in the 21 fields dealt with in the talks, including rules on tariffs, investment and intellectual property.
Aiming to reflect their opinions in the upcoming negotiations, Japan is gathering the input before joining the talks from July 23.
The next round of talks will be held in Malaysia from July 15-25. But Japan can only take part in the last few days of those talks as the United States will not complete its domestic procedure to start trade talks with Japan until then.
Among the 128 organizations invited to Monday’s meeting were the Japan Business Federation or Keidanren, which represents Japan’s largest companies, the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives, the Japan Medical Association and the Life Insurance Association of Japan.
During the morning session, government officials explained the negotiations began four years ago and member countries aim to conclude a deal by the end of this year.
They also said the government estimates that the TPP will boost Japan’s gross domestic product by 0.66 percent, or 3.2 trillion yen, even including 3 trillion yen reduction in the agricultural output, over approximately 10 years.
The 11 countries involved in the talks are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.
