Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the tenth Meeting amongst Main Ministers on the TPP at the Prime Minister's Office.

During the meeting, discussion took place on the upcoming ministerial meeting in Singapore and the current state of EPA negotiations and future responses.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

"From tomorrow, a TPP ministerial meeting will be held in Singapore.
Both the Government of Japan and the United States recognize that bilateral coordination between Japan and the United States (US) will lead the negotiations to a conclusion. At the end of last week Minister Amari visited the US and thereafter held a discussion directly with U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. They completed consultations in order to resolve outstanding issues between Japan and the US, while seeking to protect national interests as much as possible.
The ministerial meeting in Singapore will be an extremely important meeting for concluding the negotiations.  　
The very tough negotiations, in which national interests clash with each other, are continuing, but the TPP is a 'provident masterstroke.' It is also a pillar of the growth strategy. Creating new economic rules suited to the 21st century with countries that share the values of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law is of enormous historic significance.
I ask that we share this recognition, and that the negotiating team, led by Minister Amari, work as one and make every effort to realize Japan's national interests. I would also like to ask for everyone's efforts."