Japan welcome to join TPP 'only on our terms' - Key

JAPAN - Prime Minister John Key has fired a pre-emptive, trade-related broadside at his Japanese hosts at Apec, warning them that if they do not want agriculture to be on the table during talks on a regional free trade agreement then New Zealand did not want them at the table.

"It's as simple as that, ' he told reporters after arriving in Tokyo last night for the Apec summit being held in the nearby port city of Yokohama.

Indicating it intends cutting its high tariffs on imported food products, Japan has flagged joining the Trans Pacific Partnership, which includes New Zealand, and is currently negotiating a free trade deal amongst its nine members.

Mr Key said New Zealand wanted Japan to join, "but only on our terms".

"The critical issue from New Zealand's point of view is we'd like to see them inside the tent. But if they are going to be there we want a high quality comprehensive agreement.

"We don't want them being a sea anchor slowing us down while we are negotiating with the other eight countries"

Mr Key said billions of trade dollars were at stake as far as New Zealand was concerned. However, when it came to Japan's readiness to join the TPP, it was only "inching along".