U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker (C), who led U.S. business mission members, speaks during their courtesy visit to Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) at Abe's official residence in Tokyo October 20, 2014. REUTERS/Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool (
TOKYO (Reuters) - The time is "ripe" for Japan and the United States to reach a breakthrough in talks for a Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, the U.S. commerce secretary said on Tuesday, adding that the two were "a lot closer" to a deal than in recent months.
Penny Pritzker, who is in Japan with a trade mission of U.S. energy and medical companies, said both countries needed to be "bold and creative" to reach a deal, and a summit between U.S. President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was possible if the two sides got closer to agreement.
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