Panicking suddenly over the specter of being left behind by its Asian neighbors, Japan is rushing to conclude bilateral free-trade agreements, with ministers striving to get stalled talks restarted.
Japan is preparing to open its doors to more skilled labor, looking to wrap up free-trade accords with Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand by year's end, according to Cabinet ministers. Tokyo also plans to conclude negotiations with Seoul in 2005.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry is considering hitherto unthinkable plans to accept Filipino nurses and other caregivers -- on condition that they learn to speak Japanese and pass Japanese license exams. In return, the Philippines would lower trade barriers on machinery and electronics products.