In relation to Korea's promotion of Korea's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Japanese government has stated that it "needs to determine with certainty whether it meets the requirements for joining the CPTPP."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno, a spokesperson for the Japanese government, said at a regular press conference on the morning of the 14th, "The CPTPP is not only in terms of market access, but also in terms of e-commerce and intellectual property rights, government procurement, state-owned enterprises, etc. It is also at a high level.”
"I think it is necessary to first determine whether a new country is ready to fully meet this high level," he said.
He added, "As a country, we will continue to monitor trends in countries showing interest in new membership and respond based on a strategic perspective and the interests of the people."
Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno said, "We have not discussed with South Korea so far, and there is no plan to (consultation) at this point."
Earlier, the previous day, the Korean government officially announced its intention to join the CPTPP.
(Photo = Kyodo, Yonhap News)