Ministers from Japan, the United States and 10 other Pacific-Rim countries failed to reach a broad agreement in their Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks held in Singapore from Feb. 22 to 25. This followed their earlier similar failure in December also in a meeting held in the island-state. After wrapping up their four-day meeting, the participants in the latest meeting said in a joint statement that they made "further strides toward a final agreement." But it is clear that the prospects for future TPP talks have become opaque.

Japan should not rush to conclude the talks on the TPP as the pact could greatly harm its national interests. The TPP is not just about tariff rates. The scheme also has the potential to drastically change the fabric of Japanese society, including its social and environmental policies. It is imperative that Japanese negotiators give priority to protecting people's well-being, not to maximizing economic interests.

One of the causes that led to a deadlock in the Singapore meeting was a conflict between Japan and the U.S. over tariffs on agricultural products and automobiles. Japan reiterated its determination to maintain its tariffs on imports of rice, wheat, beef and pork, dairy products and agricultural products for sugar production — areas that Japan regards as a "sanctuary." It is reported that the Japanese government is considering abolition or lowering of tariffs on some items within these areas that Japan does not import. But the U.S. insisted that Japan abolish all the tariffs in these areas. Japan, on the other hand, called on the U.S. to abolish its tariffs on Japanese vehicles and vehicle parts at an early date. But the U.S. rejected the request.