Press Releases
Agreement in Principle on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations
(Statement by Foreign Minister Kishida)
1. At the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Ministerial Meeting held in Atlanta, United States, on October 5, an agreement in principle was reached on the TPP Agreement. Since the participation in the negotiations in July 2013, Japan has had many constructive discussions with the other participating countries in pursuit of the best path to suit our national interests, with a view to realizing a TPP Agreement that will establish new 21st century trade rules in a wide range of areas. I welcome this outcome.
2. The TPP Agreement would not only further promote trade, and investment in the Asia-Pacific region, where there has been remarkable growth, but it would also further strengthen relations with the countries in this region through building a new economic order, and thus has substantial strategic significance for sharing prosperity. I am convinced that it would also contribute to the peace and stability of Japan and the overall Asia-Pacific region.
3. This agreement in principle is expected to serve as a foundation for the building of a broader free trade area in the Asia-Pacific region, and to provide the momentum to push forward other economic partnership negotiations that Japan is pursuing.
4. Japan intends to continue cooperating closely with the other participating countries, and to aim for the TPP Agreement to be signed at an early date.
(Reference 1)
Countries participating in Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations (in order shown in Ministerial Statement): Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, Viet Nam
(Reference 2)
In parallel with the TPP Agreement negotiations, negotiations have been taking place between Japan and the United States on automobile trade and non-tariff measures.