[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the 14th Meeting amongst Main Ministers on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) at the Prime Minister's Office.
During the meeting, discussions focused on preparations for the TPP Ministerial Meeting to be held in Hawaii.

The Prime Minister said in his opening address,

“A TPP Ministerial Meeting will be held in Hawaii from July 28. Two years ago, I promised the public that ‘we will pursue the best path to suit our national interests,’ and based on this stance I decided that we would participate in the TPP negotiations. Since then, there have been numerous tough negotiations, with Japan’s national interests at stake.

This will be a final stage meeting toward achieving the resolution of the TPP negotiations. The finish line is now within reach. However, the end of the negotiations will be the hardest part.

The TPP is a bold attempt to construct a fair and dynamic ‘single economic zone’ in the Asia-Pacific region in the 21st century. Incorporating this region’s growth is central to the Abenomics growth strategy.

I would like the entire negotiation team, including Minister Amari, to give their all to the negotiations, overcome any difficulties, and achieve results that realize our national interests to the maximum extent possible. I request the full support from all relevant ministers for this.”