Shinzo Abe, Japanese Prime Minister Friday announced Japan's plan to take part in the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade.

Shinzo Abe announced that Japan intends to take part in the 11-nation free trade while speaking at a press conference, according to the Xinhua news agency.

Following the prime minister's announcement, Japanese major manufacturers including carmakers and high-tech companies applauded the move.

However, Japanese farmers and traditional supporters of Abe's Liberal Democratic Party highly criticized the announcement to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade liberalization talks.

The critics said that the Japanese agriculture industry could be damaged by potential cheaper imports if Japan joins the free trade.

Farmers in the country earlier this week rallied in Tokyo protesting against Japan's intention of joining the TPP.

Countries who are already in the free trade talks are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the U.S. and Vietnam. 

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