Japan and Thailand kicked off a new round of talks to tear down trade barriers between the countries, officials said Wednesday, the latest in a flurry of free-trade negotiations in the region.
Over three days of talks, the two countries will discuss Tokyo's demands that Thailand lower tariffs on Japanese auto parts, and Bangkok's insistence that Japan open its markets to Thai rice, chicken and other agricultural products.
Thailand also wants Tokyo to ease its foreign labor rules so Thai physical therapists can work in Japan.
The two sides will meet through Friday, extending their discussions to Saturday if necessary, a Foreign Ministry official said on condition of anonymity.