Singapore Reporter

The 19th round of negotiations to create a Trans-Pacific free trade pact will begin later this month in Brunei, with talks on tariff eliminations expected to gain momentum.

For Japan, which joined the 12-member Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations from the tail end of the Malaysia round last month, the upcoming round from Aug. 22 to 30 will mark the beginning of full-fledged participation.

Tokyo is sending a delegation of more than 100 members with the goal of boosting exports of manufactured goods by eliminating tariffs imposed by other countries, while retaining those it levies on imports of rice and four other key products.