Japan Positively Mulling Joining Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

Tokyo, May 18 (Jiji Press)--The Japanese government is positively considering joining the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a regional grouping proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Wednesday.

"We welcome (the IPEF) as demonstrating the United States' commitment to the Indo-Pacific region," Matsuno told a news conference.

Matsuno said Tokyo and Washington will "work closely together to establish a desirable regional economic order involving the United States."

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Tuesday that Biden will announce the launch of the IPEF during a trip to Japan starting Sunday.

Matsuno added that Japan will continue efforts to bring the United States back into the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal. "There is no change to our country's position that a U.S. return to the TPP is desirable," he said.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]