Japan urges US to ensure early passage of fast-track trade bill

Japan urged the United States on Wednesday to ensure the swift passage of a bill to grant President Barack Obama the so-called trade promotion authority for an early conclusion of negotiations for a Pacific free trade agreement, according to Japan's (Kyodo) News Agency.

"Negotiating countries regard enactment of a TPA bill as indispensable for concluding (the talks for) the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Our country strongly hopes to see an early enactment of the bill in the United States," Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press conference.

Suga made the comments a day after the US Senate voted down a motion to start debate on the bill in the upper chamber, dealing a blow to the Obama administration's bid to conclude TPP negotiations anytime soon.