Joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement will not only benefit the economy, it will also show the world Japan is moving to embrace free trade, newly appointed trade minister Banri Kaieda said in a recent interview.
Kaieda, who became minister of economy, trade and industry last week, also said he is doing his best to get the government in position this June to make a decision on the regional trade pact, which is being backed by the United States and eight other countries.
"Prime Minister (Naoto) Kan has shown such intention, therefore, my job is to move the process based on that," said Kaieda, who replaced Akihiro Ohata in the Jan. 14 Cabinet reshuffle.