NHK reported this morning that Economic Minister Seko met with USTR Froman on Thursday in Peru. According to the network, Seko stressed to Froman the importance of trade liberalization by saying that expanding the TPP in the Asia Pacific region is “significant” and that Japan is moving forward with Diet deliberations in order to complete the necessary domestic procedures. In response, the USTR reportedly said that although some members of Congress are making harsh comments on the TPP, the Obama administration is making efforts to enact the related bills. The network said, however, that since a senior Republican politician has announced that the TPP-related bills will not be submitted to Congress during Obama’s presidency, the GOJ is poised to urge President-elect Trump and his transition team to complete the domestic procedures.