. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/MIN(03)/ST/23
11 September 2003
(03-4774)
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE
Fifth SessionCancún, 10-14 September 2003Original:  English
JAPAN
Statement by H.E. Mrs. Yoriko Kawaguchi
Minister for Foreign Affairs
I would like to thank President Fox and the people of Mexico for hosting this important
Conference.  I would also like to express my grat itude to Dr Supachai, Ambassador Castillo and the
WTO Secretariat for their hard work for the preparation of this Conference.
I would like to take this opportunity to express , on behalf of the Government and people of
Japan, the deepest condolences to the bereaved family, the Government and people of Sweden on
the tragic death of Her Excellency Ms Anna Lindh, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden.
We have lost one of the most distinguished colleagues, who made a great contribution to peace
and prosperity of the world, including her leading role as the Minister for Environment at the Kyoto
Conference.
Today is 11 September, two years to date of the horrible terrorist attack.  I would like to
renew my sympathy to the victims and to their families, as well as to the people of the United States,
where it happened.  I would also like to say that 11 September was very much in the mind of all of us
when we launched the Round at Doha with a view to developing the world economy and, in
particular, improving the livelihood of the people in the developing countries.  We must not forget
this.
Japan worked hard to launch the Development Agenda at Doha.  The expansion of trade has
been the principal driving force behind the rapid growth of the world economy over the last half
century.  It is particularly so for the developing economies in the recent past.  In this context, the
WTO, embodying the mu ltilateral rule-based trading system, has proved to be a very effective
institution.  It is incumbent on us to continue to improve the governing system of the WTO in light of
the changing realities of the world economy, if it is to serve our interests in an effective and enduring
manner.
The WTO accords us with a set of rules which ensures that the benefits of trade
liberalization will be shared by all, including developing countries.  It also constitutes a rule-based
system where the strongest is not necessarily assured of reaping benefits but where a fairer
distribution of benefits is secured.  This world body provides us with a universal platform that
integrates diverse Members and prevents us from falling into the trap of the compartmentalization of
world trade through the proliferation of regional trade agreements.  What we should aim toachieve through the Doha Development Agenda, is to strengthen this system to expand world
trade in a balanced way.
I would like to touch upon the three main areas where we need to focus our attention at this
meeting.  First, on agriculture.  We are fully aware that agriculture represents an importantopportunity for developing countries to develop.  In this connection, we are proud that Japan is theWT/MIN(03)/ST/23
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largest net food importing country, importing approximately US$35 billion of food products in the
year 2000, roughly half of which is from developing  countries.  In April this year we expanded the
scope of tariff-free quota-free agricultural, forestry and fishery products from Least-Developed
Countries by about 200 items.  As a result, 83 per cent of the total imports from Least-Developed
Countries are now duty-free and quota-free.  At the sa me time, however, it is the responsibility of the
government to respond to people's non-trade concerns, such as the preservation of multi-functionality
of agriculture.  A country like Japan with a sizeable population cannot accept reducing further the
ratio of food self-sufficiency, which is already dangerously low.  We need to strike the right balance
between the expansion of agricultural trade, particularly for the products of interest to developing
countries and the desire to continue the necessary reform with a view to securing the co-existence
of different forms of agriculture.  It is not easy.  But we can start working on the Chair's text to find
the right balance that is currently still missing, especially in view of too heavy burdens placed onimporting countries such as the idea of tariff capping.
On NAMA, an ambitious modality that will result in important market access improvements
is a key to world trade expansion.  It has been demonstrated that countries which have liberalized
more, have grown faster.  But here again, we must do it in a balanced way.  Flexibilities are needed toaddress sensitive issues and adjustment difficulties for all Members in order to achieve maximum
results.  It is a question of providing a balance.  Flexibilities should of course be limited in scope to
promote and not hamper reform to make one's economy more efficient.
On the Singapore issues, new rules would benefit us all, including developing Members.  Our
aim is to maximize the benefits of the globalization and minimize its negative effects.  That is
because globalization with rules is far better than that without.  We stand ready to dissipate any
concerns that developing Members may have.  We are well aware that such rules should allow for
enough policy space for development.  We are committed to provide necessary capacity-building and
technical assistance.  The key here is again to find the right balance between responding to newchallenges and addressing concerns of developing Members.
In concluding, I would like to say a few words on how we see this Conference.  The WTO,
since its establishment, transformed the global tr ading system from a power-based one to one based
on rules.  We must make here the right political decisions and give clear guidance to our officials to
carry on with their work with a view to maintaining the effective functioning of the WTO.  A good,
efficient rule-based system will no doubt benefit us all, particularly the developing Members.
Mr Chairman, I am determined to work hard with you and all the Members towards the
success of this Conference.  Let us work together.
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