Japan and the United States on Monday began a second round of bilateral talks on automobiles and trade barriers in parallel with the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, with Tokyo calling for "maximum flexibility" in the discussions.
During the two-day session in Tokyo, which preceded a series of TPP meetings of the 12 member states starting Tuesday in Bali, Indonesia, the two sides are expected to discuss issues including automobiles and nontariff barriers in nine areas including insurance, intellectual property and investment.
Representing Japan, Takeo Mori, ambassador for economic diplomacy, said at the outset of the meeting that he wants U.S. officials to show "utmost and maximum flexibility."