White House formally notifies Congress of Japan fr

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama's administration on Wednesday notified Congress it will start free-trade talks with Japan, after more than a year of consultations with Tokyo over joining U.S.-led negotiations on a regional free-trade pact. "The participation of Japan, a major U.S. trading partner as well as close ally, further increases the economic significance of a TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) Agreement," acting U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis said in a letter to congressional leaders. The 90-day notification was expected after U.S. ...