Farm co-op chief to hit TPP in U.S.

The head of the Central Union of Agricultural Cooperatives will visit the United States for five days from June 9 to emphasize the union's opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade initiative, union officials said.

In talks with U.S. government and farm industry officials, Akira Banzai will explain farmers' opposition to the TPP initiative, which calls, in principle, for removing tariffs on all goods, including farm products. Japan is to officially join the TPP negotiations next month.

Banzai plans to meet with senior officials at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the Agriculture Department, and Senate and House lawmakers, as well as representatives of sugar, rice and livestock industry bodies.