TOKYO — Japan on Thursday hailed Britain’s interest in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership a day after the European country said it will consult with its public about a possible bid to enter the 11-member free trade pact.

"The 11 TPP signatories have shared hopes to spread high-quality, well-balanced 21st-century style (trade) rules to the world with new countries or regions participating," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference.

The top government spokesman also said Tokyo, which led negotiations to strike the deal after Washington had abruptly withdrawn from it, will provide London with necessary information.

On Wednesday, British Trade Minister Liam Fox expressed the country’s willingness to join the trade pact once it leaves the European Union next March.

"The government is determined...putting the UK at the heart of the world’s fastest-growing regions," he said in a speech.

Japan hopes to have more participants in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, which also includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Fox also stressed there would be consultations on trade pacts with the United States, Australia and New Zealand, according to a local report. — KYODO