Farm minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Sunday that Japan is not sticking to the position that negotiations for the U.S.-led free trade initiative -- known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership -- should be concluded by the end of this year.

"Japan could say that more discussions are necessary if our national interests are not satisfied," Hayashi, agriculture, forestry and fisheries minister, told an NHK program.

He also indicated Japan could leave the negotiating table immediately if Japan's key farm products, such as rice, are not protected.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said earlier this month that Japan will seek to join the TPP free trade talks to boost its faltering economy, while pledging to continue protecting some industries from cheap imports.

April 1, 2013

Source: House of Japan

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