On April 24, 2013, the Obama Administration notified Congress of its intent to include Japan as the 12th country to take part in negotiations for the Trans- Pacific Partnership (TPP). The notification begins a formal consultations process among the Administration, Congress, and stakeholders on the U.S. negotiating objectives with respect to Japan. Japan is expected to begin participating in the TPP negotiations in July.

In parallel to the TPP negotiations, the United States will conduct bilateral talks with Japan to address non-tariff measures in the automotive sector and several other sectors. These talks will include discussions on insurance, transparency, investment, intellectual property rights, standards, government procurement, competition policy, express delivery, and sanitary and phytosanitary measures.