Japan: U.S. Watching Abe's Stance On TPP Closely

WASHINGTON (Nikkei)--The U.S. intends to gauge the Liberal Democratic Party's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations by waiting to see if Japan will participate in the U.S.-led Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact.

Washington has welcomed the stance of LDP President Shinzo Abe, the presumptive prime minister, to forge stronger Japan-U.S. ties, including his decision to make the U.S. his first trip abroad as leader.

President Barack Obama congratulated Abe in a statement released at an early stage, before dawn on Monday Japan time, once it became clear that the LDP would win in a landslide.

"The U.S.-Japan Alliance services as the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and I look forward to working closely with the next government and the people of Japan on a range of important bilateral, regional and global issues," he said.

Among other issues, the U.S. government is particularly concerned about whether Abe will be able to steer Japan into joining the TPP. Having mentioned that Japan's participation is of "vital importance," the Obama administration aims to reach an agreement among TPP members at the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum next October. Unless Abe announces Japan's participation in talks right after his government launches, Japan will not be able to take part in drawing up rules for the trade pact.

Washington's biggest concern is that Japan will shelve the issue until the upper house election next summer. The LDP's actions on the TPP will serve as a test to measure how serious Japan is about strengthening ties with the U.S.

December 18, 2012

Source: Nikkei