(Yomiuri: July 28, 2015 – p. 1)

 By Takahiro Tsujimoto, Yuya Yokobori in Maui, Hawaii

 Japan has decided to eliminate tariffs on imported wine and chicken over several years in the TPP negotiations. It has engaged in bilateral tariff talks with the 11 other participating nations.

 Japan is holding tariff talks with the U.S., Australia, and other exporters of agricultural products on the sidelines of the TPP chief negotiators’ meeting taking place in Hawaii. Based on the negotiations so far, Japan is now in final coordination to eliminate tariffs on wine in stages over a period of five to seven years.

 Japan had already agreed to eliminate tariffs on wine gradually under separate economic partnership agreements (EPA) with Chile, Australia, and others. If an agreement is reached in the TPP talks, the elimination of tariffs will be expanded to include wine from the U.S., New Zealand, and other countries.

 Plans for abolishing tariffs on most chicken products over several years are also being finalized. (Slightly abridged)