. /.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/AG/NG/W/5
4 April 2000
(00-1370)
Committee on Agriculture
Special SessionOriginal:  English
FIRST SPECIAL SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE
23-24 MARCH 2000
Statement by Japan
I understand the negotiations on agriculture will be conducted as the negotiations for
continuing the reform process set out in the Uruguay Round Agreement.  We hope that the
negotiations, based on Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture, will be held in a balanced manner.
Through these negotiations, Japan believes it necessary to establish a set of rules and
disciplines that are genuinely fair and equitable for all the Members, allowing co-existence of various
types of agriculture among Members.  We will be able to reach balanced results only if we duly take
into account the diverse nature of agriculture. This is the very reason Japan has been advocating theimportance of the multifunctional role of agriculture, including food security.
It is also necessary to redress the imbalance in rights and obligations between exporting and
importing countries in order to make the WTO disciplines on agriculture more equitable.
Furthermore, it is important that due consideration should be given to the needs of developing
countries which account for the majority of Members.  Japan hopes to have an objective discussion on
this issue in the negotiations.
In addition, we must not forget that each and every government is asked to respond to the
interests and concerns held by consumers and civil society.
Japan is of the view that the negotiations on agriculture will gain a stronger momentum when
the negotiations become a part of a new Round.  In order to conclude the negotiations on agriculture,
it is imperative that all the aspects of the new Round, including agriculture, be considered as a "single
undertaking".  Japan will continue to make efforts, with other trading partners, towards the launch of a
new Round.
Moreover, in order to gain sufficient consensus on the agricultural negotiations, it is essential
to conduct negotiations with transparency and efficiency.
While conducting negotiations on agriculture, we should accelerate the discussion for the
launch of the new Round.  Furthermore, it is important to simultaneously address the issue of theassistance towards the developing countries and the strengthening of the functioning of the WTO.
Japan will strive for attaining such objectives.
With regard to the timetable of the negotiations, it is necessary to set a benchmark for the
submission of negotiation proposals by Members to ensure a  steady progress of the negotiations since
these proposals will become important bases for the negotiations.  This benchmark must be a credible
one, giving Members sufficient time to consult with various stakeholder in their countries.  Therefore,G/AG/NG/W/5
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in our view, it is appropriate to set the benchmark at the end of this year.  As the discussion toward the
launch of a new Round is currently underway, we cannot decide, at this stage, the deadline of  the
agricultural negotiations, or the detailed timetable of the negotiations.
It would be helpful for the Special Session to be engaged in the objective preparatory work
before the submission of proposals by Members.  We believe that such work will contribute to the
efforts by Members to make their negotiation proposals.  As the negotiations on agriculture will be
conducted based on Article 20, and as it is indispensable to take into account the points stipulated in
the Article, Japan is of the view that the Special Session should focus on factual work.  In particular,
the examination on the following points would be necessary:
- the experience to that date from implementing the reduction commitments;- the effects of the reduction commitments on world trade in agriculture.
When conducting such work, it is also important to further consider and deepen the understanding on
the needs and problems of developing countries, as they constitute the majority of Members.
Japan is ready to submit concrete suggestions concerning the work by the Special Session,
and would like to examine the relevant issues.
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