Top working-level negotiators from the 12 countries involved in Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks are likely to hold a meeting in November, Japanese government officials said Monday.
Kazuhisa Shibuya, head of the government's headquarters on issues related to the TPP negotiations, and other officials revealed this during a meeting with agricultural groups and other interested parties.
At their meeting on the Indonesian island of Bali on Oct. 8, leaders of the 12 countries, including Japan and the United States, reaffirmed their resolve to conclude the negotiations by the end of this year.
At Monday's meeting, the government officials emphasized that there is no change in Tokyo's stance of proceeding with the TPP negotiations while bearing in mind the importance of protecting Japan's agriculture.
Source: NewsOnJapan
