Not Planning to Discuss Membership with Korea
The Japanese government said on Dec. 14 that South Korea's qualification has to be thoroughly checked regarding its membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
“Every state wishing to join the partnership must meet the scheme's high requirements first in terms of market access, e-commerce, intellectual property rights, government procurement, and so on,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno remarked, adding, “As for South Korea’s membership in the partnership, we have never discussed the matter with it, and we are not planning to do so, either.”
The South Korean government announced on Dec. 13 that it would initiate discussions soon as to the membership and collect public opinions from various groups in the society.
Japan is the current chair of the CPTPP and the membership requires its 11 member states’ unanimous approval. In addition, the domestic procedure such as hearings, reporting to the National Assembly and application preparation is likely to take at least one year.