NHK World | 9 May 2018

Tokyo to host meeting for regional trade deal

The Japanese government is getting ready to host a meeting for a major regional trade deal.

Officials are trying to make progress toward an agreement on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP.

Sources say they are trying to finalize the date of the meeting for July 1st in Tokyo.

RCEP consists of 16 Asian and Pacific countries, including Japan, China, and South Korea.

Negotiations have been ongoing for 5 years.

The July meeting will mark the first RCEP ministerial talks to be held in Tokyo.

Japanese officials hope to be able to reach an agreement by the end of the year.