Noda, Cameron agree to push for Japan-EU FTA

NEW YORK (Kyodo) — Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Thursday agreed with his British counterpart David Cameron that the two countries will step up their efforts to realize a free trade agreement between Japan and the European Union.

Noda called for Britain’s continued cooperation in fostering the momentum for signing the agreement, Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki Nagahama said.

In their first meeting since Noda took office on Sept. 2, Cameron said Britain is the largest supporter of the accord among the European Union and urged Japan to make more efforts to convince other members, according to Nagahama.

In May, Japan and the European Union agreed to begin preparatory FTA talks.

During the meeting, held on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, Cameron also asked Japan to consider purchasing its Eurofighter Typhoon with "amazing" aerial defense capabilities, the official said.

Earlier, Noda held talks with European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

The three also agreed to accelerate their negotiations on the FTA and work closely to improve nuclear safety.

September 23, 2011

Source: Mainichi Japan