"I don't even know what street Canada is on," Al Capone once said. But Canada's prime minister, Stephen Harper, is determined to make sure he puts Canada on the map with one key global power: Japan. If he accomplishes his goal, it could have ramifications for the automobile industry, agriculture and the Midwest in general. Harper opened negotiations this weekend with Japan on a free trade agreement.

Negotiators were careful to caution against any quick resolution, because it can take years to negotiate such deals, and Japan isn't known for speedy decision making.

But, a Canada-Japan trade agreement would join one between Japan and Mexico - and leave the United States as the only North American country without one.

There are some big trade numbers involved. Canada ships $4.6 billion in goods each year to Japan, and imports $12.8 billion, largely in automobiles and auto parts.