Amid prolonged political turmoil, it has become nearly impossible for Japan to join talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade accord before the end of this year.

To take part in the round of TPP negotiations scheduled for early December--the last for this year--the government and ruling parties must reach a consensus by the end of August, as it will take 90 days for the U.S. Congress to approve Japan's entry.

Canada and Mexico will join the talks for the first time in December. For Japan to participate as a new member, it will be necessary to obtain approval from countries that have yet to give the go-ahead to Japan's entry--Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

While some other negotiating countries, such as Vietnam, have called for Japan to make a decision by the end of August, a diplomatic source said that current circumstances have made it inevitable that Japan give up joining the talks in 2012.

The government had planned to make quick preparations for joining the TPP talks by coordinating opinions among relevant bodies after enacting bills on the integrated reform of the social security and tax systems. An official announcement regarding Japan's participation had been planned for a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum scheduled for September or another occasion.

However, at Wednesday's meeting between Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and main opposition leaders--Liberal Democratic Party President Sadakazu Tanigaki and New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi--Noda referred to an early dissolution of the House of Representatives.

Many within the ruling Democratic Party of Japan remain cautious regarding the TPP issue. If the government pushes ahead with the talks, more lawmakers may leave the ruling parties in addition to those who left to oppose the integrated reform bills.

With that in mind, the government and ruling parties have decided to effectively postpone making the necessary adjustments to join the TPP talks.

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Govt's strategy shaken

By Hiromi Uechi / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

In July, the government decided that promoting free trade agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks, would be the core of its national revitalization strategy at a Cabinet meeting.

However, this strategy has already been shaken after the government's decision to effectively postpone a decision on the TPP issue until next year due to political turbulence.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda expressed his intention to seek a public mandate "sometime soon."

The remarks indicate that the dissolution of the lower house has become more likely, making it impossible for Noda to announce Japan's participation in the TPP talks as many within the ruling parties are opposed to the pact.

Meanwhile, a government source close to the issue told The Yomiuri Shimbun on Thursday, "Any way you look at it, no matter how Japan announces its participation in the TPP talks, it's impossible to do so before the end of the year."

Some officials from the nine countries currently engaged in the TPP negotiations have encouraged Japan, and said that if the government decided to join the talks, it would be able to do so together with Mexico and Canada this year.

However, the government and ruling parties have been slow to form a consensus amid the current political climate.

While the ruling DPJ's economic partnership project team had planned to have a meeting Thursday, it was canceled at the last minute.

August 11, 2012

Source: Yomiuri Online

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