Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda told reporters in Japan on Friday that the Asian nation will seek to join nine-party talks aimed at creating a Pacific Rim Free Trade Zone.
The announcement comes as lawmakers, U.S. automakers and the United Auto Workers union have urged the Obama administration not to allow Japan to take part, citing the small number of U.S. auto exports to Japan.
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said Friday the U.S. would begin talks with Japan to determine if they should join the formal Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, known as TPP.
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