I think it is sort of a test case whether Abe can push through reforms against certain interests in favor of others.

TPP is not a "test' where a leader gets "Pass" or Fail". ................It is a complex restructuring of geo-economical relationships and policies that will have deep and longlasting impacts on the socio- economic interconnections and pivotal infrstructures in a country...................... ,

Mr. Feldman does not deserve to be quoted. First, he must sort of learn how to answer questions, because his answer:

Question: "... Japan will join talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership?" Reply: "it is sort of a test case ..."

does not make any logical connection, unless he wants to state obvious that Abe must consider and agree and overcome many things as all the leaders always do.

@Konsta "...overcome many things as all the leaders always do." That is agood one, thanks.

Those talks will take place between two sides that are on their way down in the world. There will a quid pro quo in protectionism, that is all. No side can be interested in, or actually accept free trade, beause those very few profitable industries that they all the industrial nations on their decline have left would be ruined, if they have to open up for actual competition in a free market. So, not unlike Mafia Dons who devide a city's heroin market, they will divide the world into areas, where who gets to sell what. In imports they cannot have any interest, unless it is something marginal, which only the other has.

@SemperFi,

TPP is not a "test' where a leader gets "Pass" or Fail". ................It is a complex restructuring of geo-economical relationships and policies that will have deep and longlasting impacts on the socio- economic interconnections and pivotal infrstructures in a country...................... ,

Read it again, SemperFi. He didn't say Abe was being tested, he's saying whether Japan successfully enters into the TPP talks is a test case on whether Abe can get his programs adopted despite strong special interest opposition (in this case, Japanese Agriculture).

@Konsta,

Mr. Feldman does not deserve to be quoted. First, he must sort of learn how to answer questions, because his answer:

Question: "... Japan will join talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership?" Reply: "it is sort of a test case ..."

does not make any logical connection, unless he wants to state obvious that Abe must consider and agree and overcome many things as all the leaders always do.

Same advice I gave SemperFi, read it again. The man was asked whether Japan will join the TPP talks and his answer was (in so many words) that it depends how how well Abe is able to prevail despite strong opposition from "certain interests" (mainly, the Agricultural sector).