TOKYO - Japan is considering joining negotiations for a free trade partnership among Asia-Pacific nations in a bid to bolster its ailing economy, the foreign minister said Thursday.
Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) concept, including Japan's key ally United States, may help boost Japan's efforts to conclude free trade deals to increase exports.
"The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement stands as our promising framework for economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region," Maehara said in an address to a Japan-US business conference in Tokyo.
"I'm fully committed to making the greatest possible efforts to promote Japan's (free trade agreement) and (economic partnership agreement) policies, including looking into Japan's participation in TPP negotiations," he said.
Washington has said it would enter TPP talks, viewing such a deal as a means to advance US economic interests with fast-growing Asia.
Australia, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam have also said they will join the talks.
Japan has lagged behind other Asian countries -- such as South Korea which Wednesday agreed a pact with the European Union -- in sealing free trade deals.
Former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama proposed building an East Asian community similar to the EU through economic integration, but the idea evaporated after his resignation in May.
Maehara, who has argued for a stronger Japan-US security alliance, welcomed further American involvement in Asia through forums such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which Japan hosts this year.
"I believe the active engagement of the United States in this region is an indispensable element for the peace and prosperity in the region," he said.
"I'm greatly encouraged by these signs of increased US commitment to the region," Maehara said.
