(Update) Abe to Unveil Decision Friday on Japan's Entry to TPP Talks

   Tokyo, March 13 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe plans to announce the government's decision Friday to bring the country into Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks, government sources said Wednesday.
   Abe, also leader of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, will meet with Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of New Komeito, the LDP's junior coalition partner, the same day to convey the decision.
   Later on Friday, Abe will hold a press conference to explain the reason for the decision and the government's stance in the TPP negotiations, the sources said.
   Specifically, Abe will stress the importance of economic alliances with rapidly growing Asia-Pacific nations, the sources said.
   At the same time, Abe will vow to make utmost efforts to support the domestic agriculture industry, which would likely suffer a blow from massive inflows of foreign produce, in order to obtain understanding from farm lobbies and LDP lawmakers opposing Japan's participation in the TPP talks toward this summer's House of Councillors election, the sources said.

(2013/03/13-12:32)

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