Statement by Yoshimitsu Kobayashi, Chairman of Keizai Doyukai On TPP-11 Signing

March 9, 2018

Yoshimitsu Kobayashi
Chairman, Keizai Doyukai

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1. On March 8, 2018, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) was signed by the eleven ministers in Santiago, Chile. We sincerely welcome the outcome. Toward the smooth implementation of the 21st century Agreement that has a high standard/comprehensive nature and covers progressive fields, we expect our government to continue to demonstrate leadership in realizing close cooperation among member countries.
2. The United States is strengthening a protectionist stance while taking alliance relationships into consideration. Now that it is possible for Japan to take advantage of CPTPP as a flagship framework, we request the government to continue to advocate the importance of free and open economies and accordingly, to encourage the U.S. to return to the membership and to open the door for other countries to participate.

Japanese version