Three days of vice-ministerial-level air talks ended in Tokyo on August 6 with the United States and Japan unable to produce signs of progress over expanding air services in the Asia-Pacific region, one of the most lucrative markets in the world.

Negotiators said it was unlikely that the two sides would be able to strike a deal by September, a goal that was agreed on at an unofficial meeting last month in Portland, Ore. "Frankly, I feel it will be difficult to reach an accord in September. ... The fact that we started official negotiations, which aim to strike a deal, in itself is quite meaningful," said Hiromichi Toya, vice minister for international affairs at the Transport Ministry, during a press conference.

The negotiators did, however, agree to hold more meetings -- a second formal round of negotiations slated for Aug. 27 to 29 in Washington D.C. "Although we developed bracketed text on certain issues, the two sides are still far apart. ... The United States continues to advocate a transition to open skies," said Alan Larson, U.S. assistant secretary of state.