Japan weighs whether to join China-led AIIB

The Japanese government is weighing on whether to join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Japan is expected to make its final decision after the outcome of the China-Japan financial ministers` meeting in June.

According to Japanese media Kyodo New on Wednesday, the Japanese government has made a policy to decide whether to join the bank based on its national interests. Its investment would be a maximum of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars should it join. This is the second highest amount next to China, but Kyodo News said it`s uncertain whether Japan can have the level of impact that matches the amount.

Japan`s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso said told reporters on Tuesday, "Both countries will discuss economic issues in Beijing in June. The issue of Japan`s joining the bank is one of the agendas."

China-Japan financial ministers` meeting will be held in three years and two months. Japan had reserved its judgment for the participation while demanding China a fair and transparent organizational operation of the infrastructure investment bank. Japan plans to engage itself directly to see if its requests are met at the financial ministers` summit. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will make the final decision based on this outcome.

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