http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T111114004688.htm
Noda tells Obama of TPP plans / BSE, relocation of Futenma base, child abduction pact also discussed
Osamu Kawakami / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer
HONOLULU–Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has announced Japan’s policy of joining multilateral talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade initiative during a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama.
During their hourlong talk Saturday at a Honolulu hotel, Noda said the Japanese government had decided to start consultations with involved countries toward participation in the TPP negotiations. Noda was visiting Hawaii to attend a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
“Although there were voices of caution in Japan regarding the TPP, I judged that starting the consultations was necessary to revitalize Japan and open the way to an affluent, stable Asia-Pacific region,” the prime minister said.
Obama welcomed the decision and said it would provide a historic opportunity to deepen bilateral relations. He also said he will instruct U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to start consultations with Congress to ensure Japan’s participation in the TPP talks.
Regarding the easing of import restrictions on U.S. beef, imposed since 2003 after an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), Obama said it was important for the solution to be based on scientific grounds.
Noda said necessary preparations were being made to consult the Cabinet Office’s Food Safety Commission about reviewing the restrictions.
The prime minister explained that preparations are underway to submit within the year an environmental impact assessment report to Okinawa Prefecture regarding the relocation of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Futenma Air Station from Ginowan to the Henoko district of Nago, both in the prefecture. Obama welcomed this and expressed his expectations for further progress on the issue.
Noda also said a bill will be submitted to an ordinary Diet session for Japan to join the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which sets international rules for settling custody disputes among international couples who have divorced.
Both Noda and Obama agreed to cooperate with each other and South Korea on issues related to North Korea.
Noda and Obama spoke by themselves for the first 10 minutes of their meeting.
After his talk with Obama, Noda attended an APEC summit meeting and reiterated Japan’s policy of joining the multilateral talks on the TPP. Noda said the TPP will be part of the foundation for realizing a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, a regional economic integration initiative APEC has been pursuing, along with another framework led by China.
The U.S. government released a statement saying it was encouraged by Noda’s swift actions.
When Noda and Obama first met in September, Obama indicated he would like to see swift resolutions to the questions of Japan’s participating in TPP talks; the restrictions on U.S. beef imports, which has been under discussion for nearly 10 years; and the relocation of Futenma.