Fresh TPP pact may be signed in February

TOKYO: A signing ceremony will mark a formal agreement on the new trade pact, in which 11 countries will participate.

The Japanese government plans to accelerate efforts to persuade Canada, which is the only participa­ting TPP country that has shown reluctance on coming to an early agreement. If the arrangements fail, the Japanese government is eyeing the possibility of the remaining 10 countries signing, according to sources close to the negotiations.