Japan could be left behind in the global trend of free trade agreements unless it resolves the problem of its protected agricultural sectors, Keio University professor Fukunari Kimura stressed at the Sept. 28 East Asia symposium.

Tokyo has signed FTAs with several countries, mainly with those in southeast Asia but also with nations outside the region such as Mexico and Chile. Japan is now set to conclude a pact with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations later this year, an agreement that would be the nation's first with a regional bloc.

Professor Kimura described Japan's FTA strategy as "pragmatic — in both a good sense and a bad sense."