On March 15, DPJ President Banri Kaieda issued the following statement:

Today, Prime Minister Abe declared that Japan would start negotiations to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).

The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) has maintained the position that the Government should simultaneously promote and make decisions on the TPP, the Japan-China-Korea Free Trade Agreement, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, with the goal of establishing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. In addition, this process will be predicated on the preservation of Japan's national interests and the protection of its agricultural industry, food safety, and universal health insurance system.

Although DPJ Diet members have pointed this out in the Diet sessions on several occasions, PM Abe has not demonstrated sufficient commitment to his promise that participation in the TPP would not be premised on tariff elimination without sanctuary. Regardless of the uncertainty of the situation, PM Abe has decided to start talks with TPP member countries. It must therefore be said that the Liberal Democratic Party has disregarded its campaign promises from the latest election and is acting in bad faith toward the Japanese people.

As a trading nation, the Government must actively promote high-level economic partnerships with the international community. However, it is a matter of grave concern that the incumbent Government is willing to move forward with negotiations for economic partnership agreements even when the concrete direction for multiple issues remains unclear. These include: 1. How the Abe Administration will protect national interests such as the agricultural industry, food safety, and Japan’s universal health insurance system; 2. How the Government will take aggressive steps in competitive areas such as the automobile industry, without making concessions; 3. How the Government will deal with any special conditions that may be applied to latecomers to the TPP negotiations. The DPJ will vigilantly monitor the progress of the negotiations and hold discussions with the Abe Administration from the viewpoint of preserving national interests.