Japan, U.S. Need to Seek Quick Result in New Trade Talks: Motegi

August 8, 2018

Tokyo- Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Tuesday it is important for the new trade talks between Japan and the United States to produce a result soon.

Motegi made the remark at a press conference ahead of the bilateral talks to be held in Washington on Thursday to promote "free, fair and reciprocal" trade.

The head of the Japanese delegation in the Washington talks underscored the importance of achieving a quick result through the talks at a time when his counterpart, U.S. Trade Presentative Robert Lighthizer, is expected to press Japan to give the nod to the launch of negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement, which will take years before conclusion.

Before the House of Councillors election next summer, Tokyo does not want to enter into FTA negotiations, in which Washington will likely demand that Japan import more U.S. farm products such as beef, in view of the domestic agricultural industry's strong opposition, a government source said.

At the news conference, Motegi said he hopes to discuss bilateral economic ties as well as wide ranging issues on economic development in the Asia-Pacific region with U.S. delegates.

He also noted that if the U.S. side actually calls for FTA negotiations, he will emphasize that it is more beneficial for the United States to return to the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement than to have an FTA with Japan.

Finance Minister Taro Aso told a separate press conference that Japan and the United States are required to work together to make the region open. Jiji Press