Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi instructed his Cabinet members Tuesday to maintain Japan's opposition to early market-opening of forestry and fishery products during upcoming meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Malaysia.
The prime minister issued the instruction during a special Cabinet meeting on the APEC conference, trade chief Kaoru Yosano told a news conference the same day.
A series of APEC meetings will kick off Saturday, with leaders of the member states slated to meet for informal summit talks Nov. 17 and 18.