Japan proposes boosting imports of US rice

TOKYO - Japan has proposed a plan to add US rice imports to the Japan-US trade negotiations. This is a key to making progress on the overall Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade talks, government sources said.

The Japanese government will likely increase the tariff-free quota for imported rice and import more than 10 thousand tons of additional rice from the US, according to sources.

The US has also ceased its request that Japan ease its strict standards imposed on car imports, according to sources.

These moves will likely help the two countries to reach an agreement in spring, adding momentum to the conclusion of all TPP negotiations among the 12 member countries.

Japanese delegates, including the Ambassador in charge of Economic Diplomacy Takeo Mori, will meet with the US Trade Representative's acting deputy Wendy Cutler and others in Washington to work out details, starting Wednesday.

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