RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/29
WT/LDC/SWG/IF/12
6 February 2001
(01-0585)
Committee on Trade and Development
Sub-Committee on Least-Developed CountriesOriginal: English
PROPOSED REFORM TO JAPAN'S GSP SCHEME IN FAVOUR
OF LEAST-DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
Communication from Japan
The following communication, addressed to the Director-General, 22 December 2000, has
been received form the Permanent Mission of Japan regarding the proposed reform by Japan to its
GSP scheme in relation to least-developed countries with the request that it be circulated to all
Members.
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In response to your letter of 5 October, I am pleased to inform you that the report containing
the following points with regard to duty-fr ee and quota-free market access for imports from
least-developed countries (LDCs) was presented by the Tariff Council to the Minister of Finance on
13 December 2000.
The report states that it is appropriate to implement (1)-(3) below from JFY2001 (starting
1 April 2001).
1. A new system that enables the Government of  Japan (GOJ) to designate separately products
originating in LDCs for duty-free and quota-free treatment
By this system, the GOJ will be able to add items for duty-free and quota-free treatment for
the LDCs in addition to the items already covered by the Japanese GSP scheme.
2. Increase by about 360 items for duty-free and quota-free entry of LDCs products to Japan
About 360 items (HS 9 digit. See the Annex) will be added for duty-free and quota-free
treatment.  As a result of this measure, about 99 per cent of industrial products, including all
the textile and clothing products, from LDCs will be duty-free and quota-free.
3. Increase in the number of countries
All 48 LDCs will be able to benefit from this system.  Zambia, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Kiribati and Tuvalu will be added to the list of countries for duty-free and quota-freetreatment.  This makes the number of countries for duty-free and quota-free treatment to 46.
Among them, Zambia and Congo are exporters of refined copper.
1  The remaining two
countries, Comoros and Djibouti, are also eligible if they request for the treatment.
                                                     
1 Transitional arrangement for refined copper from Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congo is as
follows:
-  The GSP duty rate for DCs is to be applied for one year.WT/COMTD/29
WT/LDC/SWG/IF/12
Page 2
The Tariff Council also states that the GOJ should enable substantial increase in import under
duty-free and quota-free treatment from the LDCs by further increasing the number of items under
such treatment from the LDCs by further increas ing the number of items under such treatment while
taking account of progress in a new round of WTO negotiations and impact on domestic industry.
This proposed reform on Japan's GSP scheme vis-à-vis  LDCs will be implemented after
completing Japan's legislative procedures.
Japan hopes that such effort and progress on out part will be conducive to confidence building
among the WTO Members and to a launch of the new round in 2001.
                                                                                                                                                                    
-  The current administration of ceilings for DCs as provided for under GSP it to be maintained for
another five years.WT/COMTD/29
WT/LDC/SWG/IF/12
Page 3
ANNEX
No. Major Descriptions
2710.00-1-(1)-(A)
2710.00-1-(1)-(B)Petroleum spirits (Mixed alkylenes with a very low degree
of polymerisation, etc.)
2710.00-1-(2)-(A) Kerosenes (Mixed alkylenes with a very low degree of
polymerisation)
2710.00-1-(5) Lubricating oils, including liquid paraffin
2710.00-1-(6) Other Petroleum oils
27.11 Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons
50.05 Yam spun from silk waste
50.07 Woven fabrics of silk or of silk waste
52.0552.0652.07Cotton yarn
52.08
52.0952.1052.11
52.12Woven fabrics of cotton
58.01 Woven pile fabrics and chenille fabrics
58.03 Gauze
58.11 Quilted textile products
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