Japan-US business circles call for Japan’s entry into TPP

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Japan-US business circles call for Japan’s entry into TPP

Japanese and U.S. business circles are increasing their calls on the Japanese government to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), a multilateral free trade agreement lifting all tariff-barriers, which is raising concerns among Japanese farmers.

The Japan-U.S. Business Council, in a statement published on October 8, demanded that Japan sign on to the TPP by 2015.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan published a policy proposal titled, “Recommendations for Japan and U.S. Cooperation to Create New Jobs through Increased Trade and Economic Growth,” which states as follows:

“[I]t is important for the Japanese and U.S. governments to develop a clear near-term vision and action plan to promote regional economic integration that includes both Japan and the U.S. In particular, identifying ways to upgrade and link the many bilateral and regional free trade agreements that have been formed among countries in the Asia Pacific region should be a top priority for 2010-2011.

“The U.S. government, in consultation with other partners, should give serious consideration to how to include Japan in the contemplated Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement and, in turn, how to link TPP to APEC and a possible FTAAP.”

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The Hokkaido Prefectural Government announced that Japan’s entry into the TPP will cause a loss of 2.1 trillion yen to the local economy as well as 173,000 jobs in Hokkaido.

According to the government’s own calculations, the largest agricultural prefecture will suffer a decrease in its agricultural production of 556 billion yen, or 54 percent of that in FY 2008.

- Akahata, October 27, 2010