Wednesday evening’s Yomiuri and Mainichi reported on remarks made by U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer at a Senate hearing on Tuesday. Yomiuri wrote that with regard to the new trade talks with Japan that are expected to be launched in the near future, USTR Lighthizer reportedly said that the recent effectuation of the 11-member TPP accord is putting American farmers at a disadvantage. The paper also wrote that the U.S. official reportedly added that it will take a while to conclude an FTA that covers a wide range of areas, including services. The paper interpreted these remarks as indicating USTR Lighthizer’s intention to give priority to negotiations on the agricultural sector.