Japan and the United States should hold regular government/private-sector meetings as part of new comprehensive discussions on economic and trade issues, International Trade and Industry Minister Takeo Hiranuma said.
Hiranuma said he would like to see the launch of such a round table when the new U.S. president takes office.
"Up to now, we've been taking separate channels -- a government channel and a private channel," he said in an interview with reporters following his reappointment as trade chief. "By setting up a new joint round table, we hope to resolve various issues.