The Dec. 10 adjournment of minister-level talks in Singapore on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade scheme means that the negotiations will not conclude by the yearend deadline set by leaders of the 12 participating countries at their October meeting in Bali.
Although Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is eager to conclude the TPP talks as soon as possible, an early conclusion should not become Japan's goal. There is the risk that trying to hurry a deal will result in sacrificing important national interests.
Participants at the latest meeting failed to close gaps in several areas including the abolition of tariffs and protection of intellectual property. In an attempt to complete the negotiations at an early date, they plan to meet again in January to discuss issues on which compromise has been difficult.