JAPAN does not think it will be “short-changed” by participating in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) at an advanced stage of negotiations.
Japan, the world’s third largest economy, has been in trade and investment and economic integration negotiations for a long while.
“If we are not experienced, nobody is,” chief negotiator Koji Tsuruoka said at a media briefing on the sidelines of the 18th round of talks which started on July 15.
“Short-changed? I don’t think so … it will be up to us. Better late than never,” he added.
Japan, which got the go-ahead from its government to join the negotiations earlier this year, had to wait for the green light from the US Congress in accordance with the procedures in the US.
“Japan is happy to join the negotiations under the chairmanship of Malaysia. We’ve had useful talks for a day-and-a-half now with another day to go.
“We have learned a great deal and we have also expressed our views on a number of issues that are currently on the negotiating table.”
Japan, he added, is cooperating with the other 11 TPP member countries for an early and successful conclusion of the talks.
Apart from Malaysia and Japan, the others are Australia, Brunei, Chile, Canada, New Zealand, Peru, Vietnam, Singapore, Mexico and the US.
The next round of negotiations will be held in Brunei.
Earlier in the morning, Tsuruoka chaired a session with 30-odd Japanese stakeholders from various industries and associations.
They include its business federation or Keidanren, JA-Zenchu, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Rengo Japanese Trade Union Confederation.
Meanwhile, chief negotiator for Malaysia J.Jayasiri told the Malaysian media that the Japanese negotiators were updated on all that had been discussed by the 21 working groups.
“There were no substantive negotiation with the Japanese, we were helping to ensure that their participation in the talks is smooth,” he said.
Japan has indicated that it will be able to integrate into the negotiations, which commenced in 2008.
“That is a positive sign despite them joining the negotiations late.”
Japan, the world’s third largest economy, has been in trade and investment and economic integration negotiations for a long while.
“If we are not experienced, nobody is,” chief negotiator Koji Tsuruoka said at a media briefing on the sidelines of the 18th round of talks which started on July 15.
“Short-changed? I don’t think so … it will be up to us. Better late than never,” he added.
Japan, which got the go-ahead from its government to join the negotiations earlier this year, had to wait for the green light from the US Congress in accordance with the procedures in the US.
“Japan is happy to join the negotiations under the chairmanship of Malaysia. We’ve had useful talks for a day-and-a-half now with another day to go.
“We have learned a great deal and we have also expressed our views on a number of issues that are currently on the negotiating table.”
Japan, he added, is cooperating with the other 11 TPP member countries for an early and successful conclusion of the talks.
Apart from Malaysia and Japan, the others are Australia, Brunei, Chile, Canada, New Zealand, Peru, Vietnam, Singapore, Mexico and the US.
The next round of negotiations will be held in Brunei.
Earlier in the morning, Tsuruoka chaired a session with 30-odd Japanese stakeholders from various industries and associations.
They include its business federation or Keidanren, JA-Zenchu, Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Rengo Japanese Trade Union Confederation.
Meanwhile, chief negotiator for Malaysia J.Jayasiri told the Malaysian media that the Japanese negotiators were updated on all that had been discussed by the 21 working groups.
“There were no substantive negotiation with the Japanese, we were helping to ensure that their participation in the talks is smooth,” he said.
Japan has indicated that it will be able to integrate into the negotiations, which commenced in 2008.
“That is a positive sign despite them joining the negotiations late.”