Capital Press: Japanese group sues to stop TPP talks

A group of citizens has sued the Japanese government, arguing that the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement would violate that nation's constitution. Article by Richard Smith for the Capital Press TOKYO — A former Japanese agricultural minister is leading a legal challenge of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement that is being negotiated by 12 nations, including the U.S. and Japan. Masahiko Yamada is leading a group of 1,063 people that have filed a 45,650,000 yen — about $370,000 — lawsuit against the Japanese government in Tokyo District Court.

A group of citizens has sued the Japanese government, arguing that the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement would violate that nation's constitution.

Article by Richard Smith for the Capital Press

TOKYO — A former Japanese agricultural minister is leading a legal challenge of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement that is being negotiated by 12 nations, including the U.S. and Japan.

Masahiko Yamada is leading a group of 1,063 people that have filed a 45,650,000 yen — about $370,000 — lawsuit against the Japanese government in Tokyo District Court.

The group aims to halt the Japanese government’s participation in the TPP negotiations on constitutional grounds.

A 2005 pact between Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore, the TPP originally called for the 90 percent reduction of all tariffs between member countries by 2006. Tariffs were to decrease to zero by this year.

In the past few years, the U.S., Japan, Canada, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru and Vietnam have been negotiating to join the TPP.

The plaintiffs suing the government include eight Japanese parliament members, 157 lawyers, farmers and celebrities including writers, musicians and actors.

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