JAPAN – US says Japan pledges action on auto insurance in Asia- Pacific trade talks

According to Reuters, Japan has agreed to a “robust package of actions and agreements,” to address US concerns over access to its auto and insurance markets as part of a deal paving the way for Tokyo to join the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks, according to acting US trade representative Demetrios Marantis. “We are pleased to welcome Japan’s participation in the TPP negotiations pending a consensus agreement among the current TPP members and the completion of our respective domestic processes,” Marantis said in a statement. 

All 11 countries currently participating in the TPP talks have to agree to Japan’s request to join, but getting US support was Tokyo’s biggest hurdle.