Newly appointed farm minister Shoichi Nakagawa says Japan needs to make compromises where it can to contribute to progress in market-opening talks under the World Trade Organization.
"A consensus is growing day by day among WTO members that the ministerial meeting in Hong Kong in December should not fail," Nakagawa said in an interview this week.
"Japan needs to make compromises in areas where it can and defend itself in areas where it cannot" to advance the ongoing Doha Round of talks, as it appears the chances of reaching an agreement at the Hong Kong meeting are becoming slimmer, he said.
To aim for an outline of a comprehensive accord, Nakagawa said negotiations on issues other than farm trade must be addressed simultaneously.
Nakagawa, who held the position of economy, trade and industry minister before his appointment as minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries in Monday's Cabinet reshuffle, said a comprehensive approach is also better for Japan.
As a major food importer, "Japan cannot help being defensive" if only farm trade issues are discussed, he said.
Japan is willing to make contributions in negotiations related to industrial products or other areas, he said.
WTO members face a crucial phase in the trade talks ahead of the key ministerial meeting slated for Dec. 13 to Dec. 18 in Hong Kong.
Negotiators hope to produce the outline of a comprehensive accord involving formulas for tariff cuts, including numerical targets, in Hong Kong to conclude the Doha talks successfully by the end of 2006.
Asked how the country's agricultural industry might be developed, Nakagawa, who hails from Hokkaido, said, "Farming is a worthy business activity. Good results can be achieved through effort.
