International Business / The Pacific

U.S., Japan Agree to Expand Air Service: Negotiators meeting in Washington called for two new routes between the countries and the expansion of two existing ones. They plan to meet again in Tokyo on June 3-4 to discuss other issues, including Japan’s request for overall talks on passenger aviation. The agreement allows Japan Airlines to expand its number of flights from the northern Japanese city of Sendai to Honolulu. It also allows United Airlines to fly more frequently between Tokyo and Los Angeles. The more frequent flights can continue until June 5. The agreement is an “important first step toward breaking down the regulatory barriers” that constrain air travel between the U.S. and Japan, United said. Countries frequently jockey over expanding each others’ landing rights during the summer vacation season. The U.S. is also pressing the Japanese government to allow U.S. carriers more chances to provide increased passenger flights through Japan to the lucrative Asian market.