Japan may allow its emergency curbs on agricultural imports to expire Nov. 8 so as to allow for flexibility in negotiations with China, the minister of economy, trade and industry said Friday.
"There are news reports that we may reconsider adopting full restrictions (after) Nov. 8. I basically think flexibility is needed in bilateral talks and so I will take it into account as an option," Takeo Hiranuma said at a news conference.
The 200-day "safeguard" restrictions were imposed in April on three kinds of farm products -- leeks, mushrooms and rushes used in tatami mats -- which come mostly from China. Two months later, China slapped 100 percent punitive tariffs on Japanese motor vehicles, air conditioners and mobile phones in retaliation.
Japan and China agreed last week to step up efforts to solve the trade dispute.
The government has to decide whether to invoke full safeguards either by the Nov. 8 expiration or by Dec. 21, the deadline for a yearlong investigation it began last year on whether to impose full four-year restrictions on the products in question.