Japan, Australia resume free trade talks

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TOKYO, Aug 6 (AFP): Japan and Australia today resumed talks aimed at thrashing out a free-trade deal that would secure vital energy supplies for Asia's largest economy but also risk angering its farmers.
The two countries already held a first round of discussions in April on a possible free-trade pact, which would be Japan's first with a major agricultural exporter.
The four days of talks this week in Tokyo will cover issues including trade in goods, services, intellectual property, government procurement and energy, an official at the Japanese trade ministry said.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has long pushed for a free-trade deal with Japan, Australia's top trading partner, and has also opened talks on a trade pact with China.
Japan closely protects its politically powerful farmers, arguing that agriculture is integral to the national culture.
A deal with Australia would risk further inflaming Japanese rural communities that deserted the ruling party in recent upper house elections.