Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appears eager to join the talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade plan now being negotiated by 11 countries — the United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. He is expected to announce his decision about the TPP talks this week.
Before that, he should carefully consider whether Japan's interests will be served in the talks. At the very least, he should fully explain not only the merits and demerits of the TPP but also the difficulties associated with the procedure for joining the talks, which are veiled in secrecy.
It is clear that it would be virtually impossible for Japan, a latecomer to the talks, to change various rules already agreed on by participants now in negotiations, although the government has been mum on this point. This omission on the part of the government constitutes betrayal of people's trust. How many participants will agree to a makeover of TPP negotiation procedures for the sake of Japan?