Tokyo - Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on Wednesday expressed disappointment over the breakdown of World Trade Organization (WTO) talks over disputes on the opening of agricultural markets but vowed to push for an eventual agreement.

"It is very regrettable that an accord on modalities was not reached at a WTO ministerial meeting despite more than a week of all-out effort by ministers," Fukuda said in a statement.

After nine days of talks in Geneva, efforts to conclude seven years of negotiations on liberalizing trade that were launched in Doha, Qatar, broke off over disagreements over farm import rules between the United States on one side and India and China on the other.

Fukuda vowed to continue efforts to reach an agreement by collaborating with other WTO members.

"Although the chance of concluding the Doha round of free trade talks by the end of this year has receded, Japan, with other member economies, will seriously consider how to promote talks, based on achievements in previous negotiations," Fukuda said.

The row escalated when India and China refused to further open their agricultural markets and give up protective measures for their farmers. A large portion of poorer developing countries supported the Indian-Chinese position.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobutaka Machimura criticized China and India by saying they were only concerned about their own benefits.

Machimura urged the two emerging economies to instead consider what benefits a trade deal could bring for the global economy as a whole.

Meanwhile, Japanese farmers welcomed the negotiations breakdown after fearing a deal would lead to an influx of cheap imports. (dpa)