Japan's government will push to bring the 11-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade agreement into effect early next year.

The signing ceremony of the agreement took place in Chile, with ministers of all member countries taking part.

The TPP will go into force 60 days after at least 6 member countries complete domestic procedures, such as gaining parliamentary approval.

The ministers and others at the ceremony agreed to accelerate these procedures in their countries.

Japan is set to play a central role in bringing the multilateral trade deal into effect. It hopes to lead the push to wrap up domestic procedures by gaining Diet approval while providing support to other member countries.

Tokyo is also hoping to play a major role in expanding TPP membership by offering information to countries that are interested in the agreement.

The US withdrew from an earlier version of the TPP after President Donald Trump took office early last year.