Japan to expand role as free trade champion in 2020

Tokyo seeks greater sway in TPP and RCEP megadeal that includes China

Hoping for a big catch at a Tokyo port: Japan seeks to expand its free-trade connections in Asia. © Reuters

HIROYUKI AKIYAMA, Nikkei staff writer

January 1, 2020 02:14 JST

TOKYO -- As a tariff-cutting deal between the Japan and the U.S. takes effect New Year's Day, Tokyo looks to unfold the next stage of its commerce strategy in Asia, home to top trading partner China.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government aims to further extend Japan's free trade connections by building on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which forms the basis of the nation's trade strategy.