Japan, S. Korea Biz Leaders Aim for Asia's Economic Integration

Tokyo, May 18 (Jiji Press)--Business leaders from Japan and South Korea wrapped up their two-day meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday by adopting a joint statement calling on the two countries to cooperate in and lead the work for Asia's economic integration. The statement underscored the business leaders' hopes for South Korea's participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal, which was signed by Japan, the United States and 10 other Pacific-rim countries in February. It also said that the officials will continue to offer support for the Japanese and South Korean governments to conclude a three-way free trade agreement among the two countries and China at an early date. Expanding free trade areas is a foundation necessary for economic growth, Mikio Sasaki, chairman of the Japan-Korea Economic Association and senior adviser to major Japanese trader Mitsubishi Corp. <8058>, told a press conference after the meeting. If South Korea becomes a TPP member, that would have the same effects as the country establishing an FTA with Japan, said Kim Yoon, chairman of the Korea-Japan Economic Association. END