Japan-U.S. Cultural Exchange Association Meeting: The Merits of Mostly Rushing into Participation

The new Japanese-American business-level meeting concerning the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP), which aims at the cultivation of a free trade zone, was held in Washington. America set forth the explanation that, “the TPP is a high landmark that exceeds the traditional Free Trade Agreement (FTA),”* and there is a strong likelihood that in the case of Japan participating in negotiations, Japan will be demanded to liberalize in a wide realm.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan has touted the TPP as his most important issue and has launched the second restructuring of his cabinet, but the American’s firm request seems to be harsher than expected. America does not want the decision to participate to be put off until June and, looking ahead to early stage participation, wants internal restructuring resolutely carried out.

The TPP conference, in reality, was also placed alongside Japanese-American FTA negotiations. The American position, besides emphasizing the annulment of the general rule of tariffs — mainly in the agricultural sphere — also declared concern about the treatment of foreign enterprises, including the problems of American beef import restrictions and postal system, and also things such as automobile safety technical standards.

Last November, upon postponing the TPP participation decision, Japan decided to participate in an advance negotiation with nine other countries concerning the goal of “intelligence gathering.” This time, the conference, missing countries like Australia, has four countries.

Although it has been decided that Japan and America from now on will continue conferences, if the goal of looking at this series of problems is not addressed, there is also the fear that Japan’s participation in negotiations will be rejected. The Kan political administration earnestly reacted to the conference results; it is necessary for agriculture to understand that this is a “now or never” reform and implement changes accordingly.

What is important in the Japan-United States Cultural Exchange Association’s discussions is that negotiations working out the details of the TPP are rapidly advanced by America’s main leadership and that the powerful idea put together in November by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is being exemplified. It is very possible that the anxieties about Japan that America pointed out, along with the Japanese not giving in to their demands, will become a hurdle to participation in the TPP.

The advantage of giving the Japanese-American FTA and the TPP equal significance is clear. Not only will Japanese-American competitive power strengthen, and a foundation promoting long-term growth be built, but both countries can display leadership concerning the world’s commerce rules. Looking at this from a security perspective, this means that the Japanese-American alliance will be reinforced, and China, which stands out because of its disregard for international rules, will be restrained.

While the Democratic Party touted entering the Japan-America FTA in its first policy statement, because of agricultural organizations’ opposition, “entering into the treaty” was scaled back to “negotiation facilitation,” and the TPP participation decision was also postponed. The Agriculture Protection and Strengthening Policy, which lessened the influence of trade liberalization, is necessary, but this sort of weakening attitude will only make the citizens’ distrust grow worse. The Prime Minister should recognize that participation in TPP is a matter of life and death for Japan, and should hasten persuading the party internally and the citizens.

*Editor’s Note: This quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.