WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SG/N/6/JPN/1
5 January 2001
(01-0035)
Committee on Safeguards Original:  English
AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS ON INITIATION OF
AN INVESTIGATION AND THE REASONS FOR IT
JAPAN
The following communication, dated 22 December 2000, has been received from the
Permanent Mission of Japan.
_______________
I have pleasure in sending you the notifications on the initiation of a safeguard investigation
on the following three items:
1. "Tatami-omote"2. "Welsh Onion"3. "Shitake Mushrooms"G/SG/N/6/JPN/1
Page 2
TATAMI-OMOTE
Pursuant to Article 12.1(a) of the WTO Agreement on Safeguards, and in light of the format
for notifications under the Agreement on Safeguards adopted by the Committee on Safeguards
(G/SG/N/6, February 1995), the Government of Japan hereby notifies that the competent authorities
have initiated a safeguards proceeding, as follows:1
1. Date of initiation of the investigation
22 December 2000
2. Product subject to the investigation
Tatami-Omote, woven by Igusa ( Juncus effusus ) or Shichitoi ( Cyperus tegetiformis ) as the
warp and by thread as the weft, classified in subheadings 4601.91.210 of Import Statistical Schedule
of Japan based on the nomenclature of the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity
Description and Coding System.
3. Principal Reasons for the initiation of the investigation
Based on the materials obtained so far, the Government of Japan has found that it can be
estimated that imports of the product increased by 140 per cent whereas domestic production declinedby 46 per cent, price of domestic product by 20 per cent, and gross income by 57 per cent, from 1997
to 2000, and that there is sufficient evidence to initiate investigation.
4. The period covered by the investigation
From 1 January 1996 to 31 December 2000
5. The summary of the matters subject to the investigation
(1) Information on the fact that the product subject to the investigation is being imported in such
increased quantities, absolute or relative to domestic production, as a result of unforeseen
developments of circumstances including a decline in the price of the product in any foreigncountry
(a) The rate of the increase in imports of the product subject to the investigation(b) The amount of the increase, absolute or relative to the domestic production, in
imports of the product subject to the investigation
(c) Any other matters which should be referred  to for the finding of increase, absolute or
relative to the domestic production, in imports of the product subject to the
investigation
                                                     
1 Ministry of Finance Notification No.435, Ministry of International Trade and Industry Notification
No.826.G/SG/N/6/JPN/1
Page 3
(2) Information on the fact that import of the product subject to the investigation causes or
threatens to cause serious injury to the domestic industry which produces the like products ordirectly competitive products in terms of their use
(a) The share of the domestic market taken by increased imports of the product subject to
the investigation
(b) Domestic sales and production of the product subject to the investigation
(c) Productivity, capacity utilization, profits and losses, and employment of the domestic
industry
(d) Any other relevant factors of an objective and quantifiable nature having a bearing on
the situation of the domestic industry
6. Time limits for submission of evidence etc.
(1) Time limit for submitting the evidence or giving testimony2 : 22 March 2001
(2) Time limit for viewing the evidence etc.3 : 27 April 2001
(3) Time limit for presenting the views4 : 27 April 2001
(4) Time limit for providing the information5 : 27 April 2001
7. Other matters concerning the investigation
(1) Evidence etc. should be submitted to:
(a) Planning and Legal Division, Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance
(From 6 January 2001, Tariff Policy and Legal Division, customs and Tariff Bureau,
Ministry of Finance)6
3-1-1. Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-8490, JAPAN
(b) Trade Policy Planning and Investigation Office, International Trade Administration
Bureau, Ministry of International Trade and Industry
(From 6 January 2001, Trade Licencing Division, Trade Council Department, Trade
and Economic Cooperative Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
1-3-1. Lasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8901, JAPAN
                                                     
2 Under the first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 4 of the Cabinet Order concerning Emergency
Duties (hereinafter, "the Cabinet Order"), or under the first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 12 of theRegulations to Govern Emergency Measures to be taken in Response to an Increase in the Importation of Goods
(hereinafter, "the Regulations").  Laws, regulations and administrative procedures relating to safeguard
measures of Japan are provided in the document G/SG/N/1/JPN/2 + Corr.1.
3 Under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Cabinet Order, or under paragraph 1 of Article 13 of the
Regulations.
4 Under paragraph 1 of Article 6 of the Cabinet Order, or under paragraph 1 of Article 14 of the
Regulations.
5 Under paragraph 1 of Article 7 of the Cabinet Order, or under paragraph 1 of Article 15 of the
Regulations.
6 The names of relevant authorities will be changed from 6 January 2001, because of the reorganization
of the government.G/SG/N/6/JPN/1
Page 4
(2) The evidence, testimony or any other information which are presented, in the course of the
investigation, to either one of the Ministry of Finance or the Ministry of International Tradeand Industry will be considered as presented to both Ministries.
(3) Japanese translations shall be attached to the presentation of evidence etc. made in languages
other than Japanese.
WELSH ONION
Pursuant to Article 12.1(a) of the WTO Agreement on Safeguards, and in light of the format
for notifications under the Agreement on Safeguards adopted by the Committee on Safeguards(G/SG/N/6, February 1995), the Government of Japan hereby notifies that the competent authorities
have initiated a safeguards proceeding, as follows:
7
1. Date of initiation of the investigation
22 December 2000
2. Product subject to the investigation
Welsh Onion, fresh or chilled, classified in subheadings 0703.90.000 of Import Statistical
Schedule of Japan based on the nomenclature of the International Convention on the Harmonized
Commodity Description and Coding System.
Scientific name : " Allium fistulosum  L."
3. Principal Reasons for the initiation of the investigation
Based on the materials obtained so far, the Government of Japan has found that imports of the
product increased by 811 per cent whereas domestic shipment declines by 2 per cent, wholesale price
by 12 per cent, gross income by 14 per cent, from 1997 to 1999 (fiscal year), and the same trend is
acknowledged in 2000 (fiscal year) and that there is  sufficient evidence to initiate investigation.
4. The period covered by the investigation
From 1 January 1996 to 31 December 2000
5. The summary of the matters subject to the investigation
(1) Information on the fact that the product subject to the investigation is being imported in such
increased quantities, absolute or relative to domestic production, as a result of unforeseen
developments of circumstances including a decline in the price of the product in any foreign
country
(a) The rate of the increase in imports of the product subject to the investigation(b) The amount of the increase, absolute or relative to the domestic production, in
imports of the product subject to the investigation
                                                     
7 Ministry of Finance Notification No.433, Ministry of International Trade and Industry Notification
No.824.G/SG/N/6/JPN/1
Page 5
(c) Any other matters which should be referred  to for the finding of increase, absolute or
relative to the domestic production, in imports of the product subject to theinvestigation
(2) Information on the fact that import of the product subject to the investigation causes or
threatens to cause serious injury to the domestic industry which produces the like products or
directly competitive products in terms of their use
(a) The share of the domestic market taken by increased imports of the product subject to
the investigation
(b) Domestic sales and production of the product subject to the investigation(c) Productivity, capacity utilization, profits and losses, and employment of the domestic
industry
(d) Any other relevant factors of an objective and quantifiable nature having a bearing on
the situation of the domestic industry.
6. Time limits for submission of evidence etc.
(1) Time-limit for submitting the evidence or giving testimony8 : 22 March 2001
(2) Time-limit for viewing the evidence etc.9 :  27 April 2001
(3) Time-limit for presenting the views10  :  27 April 2001
(4) Time-limit for provid ing the information11  :  27 April 2001
7. Other matters concerning the invrestigation
(1) Evidence etc. should be submitted to:
(a) Planning and Legal Division, Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance
(From 6 January 2001, Tariff Policy and Legal Division, Customs and Tariff Bureau,
Ministry of Finance)12
3-1-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8490, JAPAN
                                                     
8 Under the first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 4 of the Cabinet Order concerning Emergency
Duties (hereinafter, "the Cabinet Order"), or under the first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 12 of theRegulations to Govern Emergency Measures to be taken in response to an Increase in the Importation of Goods
(hereinafter, "the Regulations").  Laws, regulations and administrative procedures relating to safeguard
measures of Japan are provided in the document G/SG/N/1/JPN/2 + Corr.1.
9 Under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Cabinet Order, or under paragraph 1 of Article 13 of the
Regulations.
10 Under paragraph 1 of Article 6 of the Cabinet Order, or under paragraph 1 of Article 14 of the
Regulations.
11 Under paragraph 1 of Article 7 of the Cabinet Order, or under paragraph 1 of Article 15 of the
Regulations.
12 The names of relevant authorities will be changed from 6 January 2001, because of the
reorganization of the government.G/SG/N/6/JPN/1
Page 6
(b) Trade Policy Planning and Investigation Office, International Trade Administration
Bureau, Ministry of International Trade and Industry(From 6 January 2001, Trade Licensing Division, Trade Council Department, Trade
and Economic Cooperative Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry )
1-3-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8901, JAPAN
(2) The evidence, testimony or any other information which are presented, in the course of the
investigation, to either one of the Ministry of Finance or the Ministry of International Trade
and Industry will be considered as presented to both Ministries.
(3) Japanese translations shall be attached to the presentation of evidence etc. made in languages
other than Japanese.
SHITAKE MUSHROOMS
Pursuant to Article 12.1(a) of the WTO Agreement on Safeguards, and in light of the format
for notifications under the Agreement on Safeguards adopted by the Committee on Safeguards
(G/SG/N/6, February 1995), the Government of Japan hereby notifies that the competent authorities
have initiated a safeguards proceeding, as follows13 :
1. Date of initiation of the investigation
22 December 2000
2. Product subject to the investigation
Fruit body of Shiitake Mushrooms, fresh or chilled, classified in subheadings 0709.51.020 of
the Import Statistical Schedule of Japan based on the nomenclature of the International Convention onthe Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System.
Scientific name : " Lentinus edodes  Sing.(Tricholomataceae)"
3. Principal Reasons for the initiation of the investigation
Based on the materials obtained so far, the Government of Japan has found that it can be
estimated that imports of the product increased by 64 per cent whereas domestic shipment declined by
10 per cent, wholesale price by 11 per cent, gross income by 20 per cent, and net income by 60 per
cent, from 1997 to 2000, and that there is sufficient evidence to initiate investigation.
4. The period covered by the investigation
From 1 January 1996 to 31 December 2000
5. The summary of the matters subject to the investigation
(1) Information on the fact that the product subject to the investigation is being imported in such
increased quantities, absolute or relative to domestic production, as a result of unforeseen
developments of circumstances including a decline in the price of the product in any foreign
country
                                                     
13 Ministry of Finance Notification No.434, Ministry of International Trade and Industry Notification
No.825.G/SG/N/6/JPN/1
Page 7
(a) The rate of the increase in imports of the product subject to the investigation
(b) The amount of the increase, absolute or relative to the domestic production, in
imports of the product subject to the investigation
(c) Any other matters which should be referred  to for the finding of increase, absolute or
relative to the domestic production, in imports of the product subject to theinvestigation
(2) Information on the fact that import of the product subject to the investigation causes or
threatens to cause serious injury to the domestic industry which produces the like products or
directly competitive products in terms of their use
(a) The share of the domestic market taken by increased imports of the product subject to
the investigation
(b) Domestic sales and production of the product subject to the investigation(c) Productivity, capacity utilization, profits and losses, and employment of the domestic
industry
(d) Any other relevant factors of an objective and quantifiable nature having a bearing on
the situation of the domestic industry
6. Time limits for submission of evidence etc.
(1) Time limit for submitting the evidence or giving testimony14 : 22 March 2001
(2) Time limit for viewing the evidence etc.15 : 27 April 2001
(3) Time limit for presenting the views16 : 27 April 2001
(4) Time limit for providing the information17 : 27 April 2001
7. Other matters concerning the investigation
(1) Evidence etc. should be submitted to:
(a) Planning and Legal Division, Customs and Tariff Bureau, Ministry of Finance
(From 6 January 2001, Tariff Policy and Legal Division, Customs and Tariff Bureau,
Ministry of Finance )18
                                                     
14 Under the first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 4 of the Cabinet Order concerning Emergency
Duties (hereinafter, "the Cabinet Order"), or under the first sentence of paragraph 1 of Article 12 of theRegulations to Govern Emergency Measures to be taken in Response to an Increase in the Importation of Goods(hereinafter, "the Regulations").  Laws, regulations and administrative procedures relating to safeguardmeasures of Japan are provided in the document G/SG/N/1/JPN/2 + Corr.1.
15 Under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Cabinet Order, or under paragraph 1 of Article 13 of the
Regulations
16 Under paragraph 1 of Article 6 of the Cabinet Order, or under paragraph 1 of Article 14 of the
Regulations
17 Under paragraph 1 of Article 7 of the Cabinet Order, or under paragraph 1 of Article 15 of the
RegulationsG/SG/N/6/JPN/1
Page 8
3-1-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8940, JAPAN
(b) Trade Policy Planning and Investigation Office, International Trade Administration
Bureau, Ministry of International Trade and Industry
(From 6 January 2001, Trade Licensing Division, Trade Council Department, Trade
and Economic Cooperative Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry )
1-3-1, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8901, JAPAN
(2) The evidence, testimony or any other information which are presented, in the course of the
investigation, to either one of the Ministry of Finance or the Ministry of International Trade
and Industry will be considered as presented to both Ministries.
(3) Japanese translations shall be attached to the presentation of evidence etc. made in languages
other than Japanese.
__________
                                                                                                                                                                    
18 The names of relevant authorities will be changed from 6 January 2001, because of the reorganization of the
government.