Taiwan sets up task force in Japan for TPP information exchanges

Taipei, May 2 (CNA) Taiwan's representative office in Japan has set up a task force for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) -- a proposed free trade group made up of Pacific-Rim countries -- that will boost information exchanges with Japan on the issue, an official said Thursday.

As Japan has recently been allowed to participate in the TPP negotiations, the task force will step up efforts to communicate with the Japanese government on information related to the development of the proposed regional trade bloc, Taiwan's representative to Japan Shen Ssu-tsun said at a hearing of the Legislature's Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee.

"The task force will also collect information on Japan's preparations for joining the TPP," he said.

Earlier last month, the 11 countries negotiating the TPP agreed to let Japan take part in TPP negotiations. The TPP members comprise countries such as Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States.
The task force in Taiwan's representative office in Japan is part of the country's efforts to join the TPP within eight years.

In the legislative session, Shen also faced questions by lawmakers on the possibility of a Japanese move to change its self-defense forces to a national defense force.

"We will continue to monitor developments surrounding the issue," he said.

Asked about a recent visit by Japanese lawmakers and Cabinet officials to the controversial Yasukuni shrine in Tokyo, which honors those who served the emperor of Japan during World War II, including war criminals, Shen reiterated an earlier comment on the issue by Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Anna Kao.

Taiwan hopes the Japanese government will refrain from acts that hurt the feelings of its neighbors, and that it will develop relations with neighboring countries in a proactive manner, Shen said. 

May 2, 2013

Source: Taiwan Focus