Japan and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are likely to wrap up negotiations in early May for the liberalization of trade in goods, paving the way for Tokyo's first free-trade deal with a regional bloc, government sources said Wednesday.
Economics ministers from Japan and the 10 ASEAN members are expected to meet in Brunei on May 4 or 5 to conclude the negotiations, they said.
The economic partnership agreement, which is expected to take effect in 2008, will establish a free-trade bloc between Japan and the ASEAN, and enable Tokyo to take the initiative in steering Asia's economic integration.