U.S. senator says Japan cannot be foot-dragger if it wants to join TPP

WASHINGTON —A top U.S. senator says he will underscore the need for Japan to open its markets to more U.S. exports if it wants join regional free trade talks between the United States and ten other countries in the Asia Pacific.

“I’d like to see Japan participate (in the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership pact), but it’s largely up to Japan,” Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus told Reuters.

Baucus said he believed reaching a TPP agreement would boost jobs throughout the region, creating a powerful incentive for Japan to join the negotiations.