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JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

DPJ lawmakers warn U.S. they will fight against TPP talks

Politics Jan. 13, 2012 - 07:20AM JST ( 19 )

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19 Comments

3

minello7Jan. 13, 2012 - 07:39AM JST

“I explained that even if the Japanese government proceeded with these negotiations, the Diet would not ratify it,” Masahiko Yamada, who served as agriculture minister last year, told a news conference." Ah hah, the almighty powerful JA rears its head again.
3

gaijinfoJan. 13, 2012 - 07:42AM JST

One the one hand, you've the huge and growing Chinese economy. On the other hand, you'll have the economic entity of the U.S. and about ten other countries connected via free trade.

And then you've got Japan, slowly sinking into economic oblivion.
1

marcelitoJan. 13, 2012 - 08:04AM JST

Fossils- reject it and Japan will continue its gradual economic decline while watching its neighbors zoom past it and mumbling " shouganai" sticking to outdated practices. Meanwhile we all enjoy the benefit of paying way more than we should for our groceries.
0

sillygirlJan. 13, 2012 - 08:20AM JST

i really believe they will have no choice but to join. they should have more confidence in their products.
2

tkoind2Jan. 13, 2012 - 09:14AM JST

"Anti-American Sentiment", come on guys, can't you find better reasons to fight this?

Sadly, anyone who knows Japan and her political culture also knows that anti-anything sentiment in Japan amounts to very little tangible political result. Anti-government sentiment still has not managed to put people in the streets to protest the government's incompetence. And this directly impacts every Japanese family. So why would anti-American sentiment amount to anything more than a line on some survey somewhere.

We all know that these free trade agreements most often harm working people rather than help them. They certainly help benefit the already rich.

Now if the DJP want to resist this, why not come after it with stronger arguments to this effect. Engage both Japanese and American working people to make demands for how such a policy would be implemented.

Threats of "Anti-American Sentiment" in a world filled with countries who genuninely hate the US, Japan being a bit upset will not motivate any change of thinking. It is just a sad reality.
3

globalwatcherJan. 13, 2012 - 09:26AM JST

Japan has no legs to stand on the TPP. Before considering the TPP, you guys need to focus on the fierce global competitiveness. 1000 lbs gorilla (old Japanese economic model) is not ready for it. I am sorry to tell you this.

I had a chance to visit Japanese businesses and hospitals when I was in Japan after the 3/11, the employees are still working under the same conditions like Chinese sweat shops without any labor law governance and any system updates. We are all in the 21 century together. Business/hospitals first need to focus on a 100% paperless environment with the most updated technologies. You need to streamline the working environment that is broken. I am just talking about a tip of iceberg of many complex issues (1000 lbs gorilla) Japan needs to overhaul first.
4

MaboDofuIsSpicyJan. 13, 2012 - 09:51AM JST

But an agricultural cooperative staunchly opposes the agreement, fearing it would devastate rice farmers who enjoy government protection.

Screw them.
1

gogogoJan. 13, 2012 - 10:19AM JST

DPJ fights against everything, their job is to oppose EVERYTHING the current government does, kick up alot of dust and then call for an election.
1

WurthingtonJan. 13, 2012 - 12:53PM JST

Its simple.... quit talking about the United States and TPP. You have the parameters of how it would work... figure it out and just say Yes or No. Quit making the USA lookk like the bad guy here. Heck... TPP was not even started by the USA in the first place.
2

KapunaJan. 13, 2012 - 03:04PM JST

... being imposed by the U.S.? This is an APEC initiative, the U.S. is only a signatory to it. If Japan doesn't want to join, don't join. Quit bitching and blaming others for the inability of Japan to compete in a global market.
1

smithinjapanJan. 13, 2012 - 03:24PM JST

"Lawmakers from Japan’s ruling party on Wednesday told the United States they would fight against a proposed trans-Pacific free trade pact and warned that the deal was triggering anti-U.S. sentiment."

Triggering such sentiment among whom, pres tel? The only people it would trigger anti-US sentiment against are lawmakers with vested interests, and farmers who have taken advantage of the outdated system and protectionist measures for years.

Show the public the prices that things will be sold at under the TPP as opposed to now and see if there is 'Anti-US Sentiment'. You'll see one of two reactions: 1) they'll be happy to get what they want more cheaply. 2) they'll say they don't care one way or the other and will continue buying jacked up 'made in Japan' because they (incorrectly in many cases) believe it is superior.

The TPP is a chance for Japan to GROW, not lose out. Only people who cannot be competitive and rely on kickbacks or what have you see it as a threat -- it will even increase sales of Japanese goods overseas!
0

Lucas KurkowiakJan. 13, 2012 - 03:44PM JST

Just see the situation of french peasants, although EU gives them subsides. I hope it won't happen to Japan.
0

LagunaJan. 13, 2012 - 05:45PM JST

Tkoind2, agreed: would Japan feel better if the US said, "Hey, Japan, guess what? We're creating a free trade block, and YOU'RE NOT INVITED!"

Sheesh, sometimes these people are like kindergarteners.
1

zichiJan. 13, 2012 - 05:48PM JST

The TPP wasn't started by America.......
0

AKB0815Jan. 13, 2012 - 08:48PM JST

Of course Japan and US need negotiation about the details of the agreement, but I dont understand why JGovernment plays this running in circles game again. If there are concerns then name them and start a discussion. so far I just hear "yes, we would like to talk" and "no, we don´t". Seems like there is no clear direction yet among the japanese politicians. Additionally, japan really needs to reform the agricultural sector anyway. Most obvious when looking at the rice paddies and small fields, there is need for rearranging and clustering so the ground can be worked with less resources of machines and money. This has happened in most western countries already after WWII but Japan never felt the need to do so. If that is started, then I believe there is no reason, why Japan can not compete with other countries, be it in the TPP or else.
0

BurakuminDesJan. 14, 2012 - 02:04AM JST

These old men in the DPJ - and their inefficient and unproductive agricultural sector backers who constantly hold their hands out for public funds - will die out like the dodo. Japan will be a better place for it.
0

BurakuminDesJan. 14, 2012 - 02:11AM JST

they should have more confidence in their products.

The bottom line is their products are grossly overpriced, inefficiently produced and unwanted - unless their superior rivals are hamstrung by a 700% tax.
0

gonemadJan. 14, 2012 - 02:14AM JST

I'm afraid these guys are right. Japan will mostly benefit from the TPP except some few areas, among which agriculture is the most problematic and which is one of the areas where the US will benefit from the TPP. The problem is not the TPP or the US, it is the lack of agricultural reforms which are overdue in Japan. But for the people involved it will look like the US will benefit at their expense. And for sure there will be politicians playing the nationalistic card. We can see just the same happening in the US, where lawmakers from the states with a lot of car industry complained to Washington that Japan should not be allowed to join the TPP. They are rethorically more clever by pointing at alleged non-tariff barriers in Japan, but what really worries them is that with the TPP cars made in Japan can become 15% cheaper in the US.
0

globalwatcherJan. 14, 2012 - 07:54AM JST

Editor of AFP needs to change a title of the topic

From:

DPJ lawmakers warn U.S. they will fight against TPP talks

To:

DPJ lawmakers will fight against TPP talks.

USA did not start the TPP initially and it should not be used against USA. If Japan does not want it, then get out. We can go without Japan and it does not hurt our feelings.