A ministerial meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, or APEC, starts on Thursday in Peru, amid growing concern about protectionist trade policies being advocated by US President-elect Donald Trump.

APEC is an Asia-Pacific framework for economic cooperation among 21 member economies, including Japan, the United States and China.

The ministerial meeting takes place in Lima, the capital of Peru, which is hosting APEC meetings this year.
Japan's Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Muto Yoji will be attending.

Discussions at the meeting are expected to focus on strengthening free and open trade and investment, as well as sustainable economic growth in the region.
In a news conference on Tuesday, Muto said that he plans to stress the importance of a trade scheme based on rules, such as those set by the World Trade Organization.

The meeting will be held against the backdrop of growing global concern that the election of Donald Trump may lead to more protectionist policies in the US, and an escalation of the US-China trade war.

Trump pledged during his campaign that he would levy tariffs of 10 to 20 percent on imported goods, and even higher tariffs on Chinese imports.

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru left for Peru on Thursday to attend the APEC Leaders' meeting, on the first leg of his 8-day tour of South America.

On the sidelines of the summit, Ishiba is planning to hold one-on-one meetings with the leaders of APEC member economies.

Japan is trying to arrange summits between Ishiba and US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday -- potentially, his first meetings with the US and Chinese leaders since he took office in October.

Ishiba told reporters before leaving for Peru that he hopes to discuss at the APEC summit what Japan can do for regional economic growth.

Ishiba said that Japan and China have several pending issues to be resolved, and they also have issues that they should address together. He expressed hope that he can have candid discussions with President Xi.

Asked about a possible meeting with Trump in the US after his South American tour, Ishiba said he is not in a position to comment as nothing specific has been decided.