November 16, 2011

A disagreement between Japan and the United States over a remark made by Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko in regard to the TPP is shedding light on the possibility that Washington will pressure Japan to move for an unconditional elimination of tariffs in the TPP negotiations.

Noda, during his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in Hawaii on November 12, said that Japan will start consultations with countries concerned with an eye to joining the TPP negotiations.

After this summit meeting, the White House issued a press release stating that President Obama “welcomed Prime Minister Noda’s statement that he would put all goods, as well as services, on the negotiating table for trade liberalization.” But soon after that, Japan’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement claiming that Noda had not said this.

Japanese Communist Party Diet Policy Commission Chair Kokuta Keiji on a BS news program broadcast on November 14 pointed out, “Right from the start, the U.S. side is moving the TPP in that direction. The rapid denial by Japanese officials of Noda having made such a statement is indicative of a hidden agenda.”

Kokuta warned that Japan in the TPP negotiations would be forced to remove its regulations on food safety (such as the labeling of GM food products), and that both food safety regulations and the universal healthcare system would be categorized as nontariff barriers.

After his return to Tokyo, the prime minister at an Upper House Budget Committee meeting on November 15 did not deny the possibility of liberalizing restrictions in rice trade and the public medical insurance program.

As for the universal healthcare system, he also said, “Putting it on the table in the free-trade talks is possible.”

He stated, “Japan won’t join the TPP talks at the cost of national interests,” but went on to say, “I will do my utmost to get the negotiations started.” He revealed his enthusiasm for Japan’s participation in the TPP negotiations.