Japan and the United States on Wednesday launched an initiative to facilitate regular discussions on trade issues critical to both countries in the face of China's economic rise.
The first series of meetings under the U.S.-Japan Partnership on Trade are expected early next year, with the initial areas of focus including "third country concerns" and cooperation in improving a rules-based economic order in the Indo-Pacific region, according to officials from the two countries.
The announcement was made as Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi held a meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, who is on her first visit to Japan since assuming her position in March.