RCEP trade talks start in Kobe, Japan Japan Business News with Yuzuha Oka

Sixteen Asian countries have gathered in Japan to negotiate a trade deal RCEP. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership entails a growing importance as a rival trade pact TPP is falling apart after the U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal.

However, countries are struggling to come into an agreed conclusion as the members including Japan, China, India and Australia have different preferences in the degree of market access, tariffs and trade rules.