Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda postponed the announcement of his decision Thursday that Japan would join negotiations on a US-backed trade deal as a cross-party group of Japanese parliamentarians submitted a resolution, protesting his expected move. [...] The chairman of the Japan Business Federation, Hiromasa Yonekura, said Monday that Japan had to join the negotiations as it is lagging behind other countries in forming economic alliances.

Critics have pointed out that Yonekura is chairman of Sumitomo Chemical Co, which could stand to gain from the pact, as it would facilitate the company’s strategic partnership with US agrochemicals supplier Monsanto Co.