The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers' Meeting held in Honolulu, from November 10 to 11. On this occasion, Minister Edano also held bilateral talks with Mr. Ron Kirk, the U.S. Trade Representative; Mr. Kevin Brady, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade, the Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House of Representatives; The Hon. Tim Groser, New Zealand's Minister of Trade; Ms. Elvira Nabiullina, Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation; and Mr. Kittiratt Na-Ranong, Minister of Commerce of Thailand.

1. WTO Doha Round of negotiations
   Minister Edano pointed out the importance of not abandoning the negotiations and taking fresh and creative approaches, including early agreements. Sharing concerns over the recent resurgence of protectionism, he advocated the necessity of political resolve for resisting protectionism. As a result of the discussion, the ministers agreed to extend the commitment on standstill, which had been made at the Leaders' Meeting in Yokohama last year, to the end of 2015. These results were announced in the form of the "APEC Ministers' Statement on the WTO, the Doha Development Agenda Negotiations, and Resisting Protectionism."

2. Priority issues in APEC 2011
   Minister Edano noted the importance of the investment environment and intellectual property rights protection, toward APEC-wide innovation, with a view to regional economic integration through a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). All economies recognized the significance of innovation. Mr. Edano also indicated that it was essential to promote cross-border open innovation and announced that a specific project proposed by Japan ("APEC Open Innovation Platform" initiative) would be implemented from next year.

   Subsequently, Minister Edano stated that liberalization of trade and investment in environmental goods and services (EGS) should be pursued in order to make green growth a reality. It was decided that discussion should be continued on concrete policies, such as lowering tariffs, to build a consensus of the economies before the Leaders' Meeting. (*A consensus was reached through subsequent consultations before the Leaders' Meeting.)

   In addition, regarding regulatory convergence and cooperation, the ministers concurred that cooperation would be needed to strengthen the implementation of "good regulatory practices" (internal coordination, assessment of the impact of regulations, and public consultations) and to enhance international consistency in standards in the emerging technology areas of smart grid, green buildings, and solar technologies.

3. With respect to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement-the only step toward an FTAAP that is under negotiation-Minister Edano mentioned both during and outside the meeting that Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda announced on November 11 that he had decided to begin consultations toward participating in the TPP negotiations with the countries concerned. In response, some economies stated that they welcomed this announcement by Japan.

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(1) U.S. Trade Representative Kirk
Minister Edano told Mr. Kirk that Japan would begin consultations toward participating in the TPP negotiations with the countries concerned. Both exchanged views on Japan-U.S. cooperation on rare earths and other issues.

(2) U.S. House of Representatives Trade Subcommittee Ways and Means Committee Chairman Brady
Minister Edano announced that Japan would begin consultations toward participating in the TPP negotiations with the countries concerned.

(3) New Zealand Trade Minister Groser
Minister Edano announced that Japan would begin consultations toward participating in the TPP negotiations with the countries concerned. Both ministers exchanged views on the current status of the TPP negotiations and New Zealand's trade policy.

(4) Russian Economic Development Minister Nabiullina
Both ministers exchanged opinions on the 2012 APEC meetings in Russia and Russia's entry to the WTO. They also concluded a memorandum on economic cooperation between Japan and Russia.

(5) Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Kittiratt
Minister Edano extended his sympathies to those affected by the floods in Thailand and promised the Japanese government's support.
He also called for the Thai government's cooperation on requests by local Japanese companies, including the restoration of infrastructure such as electricity and industrial water supply.

(6) Other ministers
Minister Edano announced to the Malaysian International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, the Singaporean Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang, the Brunei Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister II YB Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, and the Australian Trade Minister Craig Emerson that Japan would begin consultations toward participating in the TPP negotiations with the countries concerned. All of these countries welcomed Japan's decision.

• Statement (November 11, 2011) (PDF:161KB)
  • Annex A: Pathfinder to enhance supply chain connectivity by establishing a baseline de minimis value (PDF:95KB)
  • Annex B: Actions to address barriers facing smes in trading in the region (PDF:60KB)
  • Annex C: Facilitating the diffusion of advanced technology and alternative-fueled demonstration motor vehicles (PDF:60KB)
  • Annex D: Pathfinder on facilitating trade in remanufactured goods (PDF:60KB)
  • Annex E: Emerging green technologies APEC Regulatory Cooperation Advancement Mechanism :Revised Recommendations on Smart Grid Interoperability Standards (PDF:123KB)
  • Annex F: APEC regulatory cooperation plan (PDF:87KB)
• APEC Ministers' Statement on the WTO, the Doha Development Agenda Negotiations, and Resisting Protectionism (November 11, 2011) (PDF:71KB)
• APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Disaster Resiliency (November 11, 2011) (PDF:102KB)
• APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Open Governance and Economic Growth (November 11, 2011) (PDF:79KB)

November 13, 2011

APEC Office, Trade Policy Bureau