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© (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013.TPP talks make progress, but Japan entry won't be quick
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sf2k
not my question
gogogo
Doesn't matter no one will question him, the media most certainly wont.
sf2k
I am actually in favour of the rice farmers in Japan. I know I know, subsidies, etc etc, but I still believe it's important to keep food local. Food should not be where you price it on the lowest common denominator. Quality is a good idea. I realize this differs from other views. I don't believe Japan benefits from TPP since it's just the same good ol' boys who benefit, not Japanese.
sf2k
So anyway, did Abe run for office against TPP or not?
sf2k
@TrevorPeace2
in NAFTA only Canada said to the USA that it can supply unlimited energy. Mexico made no such claims. We're shackled with that. In effect we have to send energy to the US even if another part of the country needs it more. As well, most of the industries for protection are now gone or sold out. Steel for one.
We're still America's largest trading partner but the integration has not lead to American changes only Canadian capitulation. If that's what you want for Japan fine, but at least say so. I don't think it'll work because trade agreements are really a facade
In a post-2008 world the available energy isn't increasing, the available food isn't increasing but the population is. People are out of work, except the lawyers of course
It isn't going to work out
Knox Harrington
Why don't just Japan close the borders again, once and for all and be done with it. That's what they want, right? To only benefit from everything themselves, shunning ideas from the outside. Come on Japan, you can call it "Sakoku 2.0" and market it with the help of AKB.
sfjp330
Why do Japan need more time? Japan begin the process of consulting with the other countries that are negotiating the TPP almost year and a half ago. Japan keeps talking about national interest, but nobody has the leadership to bridge the differences. The frequent turnover of Japanese prime ministers has failed to produce the leadership that might unify the pro-TPP across the two parties in Japan. The political weaknesses have made it difficult because of the limitations of the prime minister’s powers, making it more likely that opposition can effectively veto any government action. As a result, Japanese leaders are indecisive and do not have the political clout to overcome the opposition. Japan really needs a structural change, but they not know how.
BurakuminDes
Bring on the TPP, the removal of tax and tariff thievery - and free choice. Don't wanna join - no problem. Just dont expect the progressive nations to sit around and wait, hawk-face Abe. There simply wont be anyone to work in the non-existant agricultural indistry in Japan in a couple of decades anyway - except for a handful of centenarians wielding rusty pitchforks.
Kyle Alpert
TPP food exports will come with US-style labeling requirements. Even IF Japan were to secure proper labeling, there is no real way to ensure US firms comply 100% with 100% of the requirements. Obligation, or moral duty, means nothing to US producers. If allowed any leeway, one can be sure US firms will weasel/lie/trick their poison into Japanese homes, with the hope that people will just accept it as status quo.
Also, US cant complain about Japanese farm subsidies with all that massive corporate well-fare propping up Midwestern corn. Oh, US does it to prop-up prices (ie: gouge the poor), while Japanese does it block economic liberalism. And yes, US subsidies support big efficient, mass-producing JOB CREATORS, while Japanese protectionism support inefficient small scale farming. Did I get that right?
When considering TPP, Japan would do well to remember the story of the Pied Piper, whose business involved positioning himself to be the cure for calamities he (secretly) brought about on others. And who, when found out, targeted the most ignorant/vulnerable members of society, tricking them into turning against their own society.
Japan will do well joining TPP, but only once they have immunized their society from the dangers described above. And the best way to do that is to allow outside pressures to radicalize the population...
Disillusioned
It's a double edged sword. Joining would help stabilize Japan's deflating economy, but it would also put a lot of pressure on Japanese producers. The main reason farmers are against it is because of how heavily subsidized they are by the government and they would have to toe the line. However, I doubt if Japan will join, especially the Abe right-wing government. It would mean political suicide for the party and the revolving PM door would swing again
nath
There is about as much chance of Japan joining the TPP as there is of me flying to the moon. Even if it did join by some miracle, Japan would have so many caveats and opt-outs, the whole thing would be a shadow of what it could be. And all for the sake of a few rice farmers....
TrevorPeace2
Canadian, eh, sf2k? You must equally despise our Free Trade Agreement with the U.S. It's a pity you sound more like a conspiracy fear-monger than a citizen of the world. The TPP is all about eliminating trade barriers, and since every country has them, and every country wants to eliminate them (mostly), it will be a long drawn out process of negotiation. I say stay tuned and don't panic or pass along false premises.
issa1
It makes no sense Japan to join the TPP.United States is just changing the rules to benefit themselves.Japan must escape this trap while there's still time.
JeffLee
Love, it, scads of LDP Diet members won seats the last election after promising their constituents that they'll oppose the TPP, making this issue the main plank of their platform. But now the president of their party is set to announce that Japan will join the TPP. LDP supporters, once again, have been sold down the river.
gogogo
They wont join but wont say no either... the masters of never actually answering the question.
smithinjapan
I mean seriously -- the biggest naysayers on the TPP are the same people who proclaim, without good reason, that Japanese rice is 'superior'. So are you telling me they would suddenly stop buying superior rice because other rice comes at a reasonable rate? Cheaper products won't be suddenly FORCED on people!
smithinjapan
Ah, so they made 'JAPAN-progress'! In other words, they signalled they were considering talking about thinking about it, and is considered a big step for the politicians here.
Anyway, if things were as they were right now 100 years down the road, Japan would still be thinking about it. Once they realize in a couple of years they've been left in the dust they'll run begging to be let in.
Bertie: "TPP benefits the U.S.A. but no one else."
Wrong. It would benefit the nation of Japan in more ways than you realize, from a boost in exports to locals being able to choose from a variety of excellent quality goods without the tarifs of about 10-times the regular cost. The only people who would NOT benefit are those who depend almost completely on government subsidies to stay afloat because they are unable to become competitive, and they should go the way of the samurai (the REAL samurai) anyway. Even IF the TPP goes through (in 50 - 100 years... or two or three once China joins and profits from it) many people will stick to the 'made in Japan' label because they believe it means a better product. What are these farmers so scared of?
sf2k
better put it's One Corporation, not One Government. This has nothing to do with people
BertieWooster
sf2k,
Well said!
TPP benefits the U.S.A. but no one else.
Just one more stab at establishing the One World, One Government, New World Order.
Icecreampoliticsfova
No sane person would allow American financial institutions to make buisiness in their country after they caused the world-wide financial and eonomic crisis of 2008 - ongoing.
Grinkamban
Why does anyone want japanese products after 2011? You all know in your heart what it really is. Is it not bad enough it is all around the japanese marked? All about money money money money, corruption and money! A Shame really.
gokai_wo_maneku
What are farmers protesting participation in the TPP? There is no TTP!! There are proposed negotiations to establish a TPP. Of course you should participate in the negotiations. If you get a good deal for yourself, you participate. If you don't, then you don't participate. What is the big deal???
sf2k
but I'm not bitter (Canadian joke)
sf2k
in a post-2008 world TPP is meaningless and just a means for financial institutions to make inroads in more countries so that they can destabilize them.
as energy was cheap and plentiful that lead to a globalized world. As energy becomes more expensive and harder to find globalization comes to an end along with all the financial dodges that prop it up.
Without endless growth year after year there can be no banking system because it no longer is a reflection of capital but a machine to be fed.