Tokyo aims to kick off Mercosur talks by summer, Brazil beef imports pose hurdle
Talks toward an economic partnership agreement with Mercosur would mark the first major free-trade negotiation for Japan under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. (Nikkei montage/Kyodo)
KOUTA OHYAMA and RINTO HORIKOSHI
TOKYO — Japan aims to begin negotiations toward an economic partnership agreement with a group of five South American nations by summer, seeking to secure resources and expand trade with a market of nearly 300 million people.