Japan supports UK's attempt to join Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership

Japan's Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura. - Reuters

TOKYO (Bloomberg): Member nations of a Pacific regional trade deal agreed on Wednesday (June 2) to allow the UK to begin the process to join, Japan’s economy minister said, in a potential boost for the country’s trade following Brexit.

Yasutoshi Nishimura said the move would strengthen economic ties between the UK and Japan, as well as making the zone covered by the deal equal to the EU in terms of economic size. He spoke to reporters after hosting an online meeting of ministers and officials from the 11 countries who make up the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.