U.S. and Japan narrow gaps substantially in trade talks: USTR Froman

The two sides narrowed their gaps substantially in the bilateral discussions, Froman told reporters after two days of talks with Economy Minister Akira Amari, following senior working-level discussions last week.

The bilateral deal between the two nations is vital to the success of a 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact.

Amari has said the two sides want to make enough progress to be welcomed at a summit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Barack Obama next week in Washington.

(Reporting by Kaori Kaneko; Writing by William Mallard; Editing by Kevin Liffey)