Japanese customers mull TPP and the advantages for joining as other countries scramble to make trade deals

"According to METI, nonparticipation in the TPP would mean that Japan would not be able to liberalize specific items with the European Union and China, while South Korea rushed in the breach to promote liberalization with major countries. ."Japan would become a virtually closed country," a METI official said. "



Source: Estimates on joining TPP extreme / METI says nonparticipation would close country; farm ministry sees ruin for farmers
Koichi Uetake and Akihito Teramura / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writers
Yomiuri Shimbun
Oct. 29, 2010
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/business/T101028005013.htm