TOKYO: Japan and the US are moving closer to reaching agreement on market opening measures needed to conclude a Pacific Rim trade pact, a top US envoy said on Friday, urging Japanese business leaders to help bridge the last, difficult disagreements.

US Deputy Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken urged members of the Japan Association of Business Executives to “pick up your phones” and use their influence to convince officials to work towards a final consensus on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP.

“The contours of a final agreement are coming into focus,” Blinken said. “We need you to make the calls, convene the meetings and remind the officials of the benefits this agreement will bring.”

Agreement between Japan and the US is essential for forging the free-trade arrangements among the dozen nations involved in the US-led effort.

Published in Dawn, February 14th, 2015

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