RESTRICTED  
  
WT/TPR/W/ 78 
25 March 2015  
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Trade Policy Review Body    
 
* In Original language only/ En langue originale seulement /En el idioma original solamente . 
  JAPAN 
DRAFT MINUTES  OF THE MEETING* HELD ON 9 AND 11 MARCH  2015 
Delegations are invited to submit factual corrections, if any, on their own statement to the 
Secretariat ( Mrs Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanqua rt@wto.org , or to  tprd@wto.org ) no later 
than 8 April  2015. 
 
Organe d 'examen des politiques commerciales  
 
JAPON 
PROJET DE COMPTE RENDU DE LA RÉUNION* TENUE LES 9 ET 11 MARS  2015 
Les délégations sont invitées à soumettre  leurs éventuelles corrections factuelles concernant leurs 
propres déclarations au Secrétariat ( Mme Barbara Blanquart: barbara.blanquart@wto.org , ou 
tprd@wto.org ) le 8 avril 2015 au plus tard.  
 
Órgano de Examen de las Políticas Comerciales  
 
JAPÓN 
PROYECTO DE ACTA DE LA REUNIÓN* CELEBRADA LOS DÍAS 9 Y 11 DE MARZO  DE 2015  
Las delegaciones pueden enviar a la Secretaría (Sr a. Barbara Blanquart: 
barbara.blanquart@wto.org , o tprd@wto.org ) a más tardar el 8 de abril  de 2015 las 
correcciones fácticas que deseen introducir en sus propias declaraciones.  
 
 
_______________  
 WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  TRADE POLICY REVIEW  
JAPAN 
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING  
Chairperson: H.E. Mrs. Mariam MD Salleh  
CONTENTS  
 
1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .......................  3 
2  OPENING S TATEMENT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN  ................................ .........  4 
3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  ................................ ................................ ................  8 
4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  ................................ ................................ ........................  14 
5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS  ............  54 
6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  ................................ .........................  63 
7  ELECTION OF A NEW CHAIRPERSON FOR THE TPRB  ................................ ...................  65 
 
 
Note: Advance written questions and additional questions by WTO Members, and the replies 
provided by Japan are reproduced in docu ment WT/TPR/M/310/Add.1 and will be available online 
at http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp_rep_e.htm.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  1  INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY THE CHAIRPERSON  
1.1.  The twelfth Trade Policy Review of Japan was held on 9 and 11 March 2015. The Chairperson 
H.E. Mrs Mari am MD Salleh (Malaysia) welcomed the delegation of Japan headed by Mr Tomochika 
Uyama, Deputy Director -General, Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the rest of 
the delegation, including H.E. Ambassador Yoichi Otabe, permanent Representati ve of Japan to the 
WTO; other colleagues from the mission in Geneva; and the discussant,  Mr Jean -Paul Thuillier 
(France).  
1.2.  The Chairperson recalled the purpose of the Trade Policy Reviews and the main elements of 
the procedures for the meeting. The report b y Japan was contained in document WT/TPR/G/310 
and that of the WTO Secretariat in WT/TPR/S/310.  
1.3.  The agenda also included the election of a new Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body 
as set out in WT O/AIR/TPR/1/Add.1 of 23 February 2015 at the end of t he second day of the 
meeting.  
1.4.  Japan had opted for the alternative timeline. Nearly 700 questions by the following 
delegations had been submitted in writing at least four weeks in advance and had been 
transmitted to the delegation of Japan: Australia; Swit zerland; China; Mongolia; New Zealand; 
Chile; Canada; Mexico; the Philippines; the United States; Costa Rica; Singapore; Turkey; 
Norway; European Union; Chinese Taipei; the Philippines on behalf of ASEAN; Brazil; Hong Kong, 
China; Guatemala; Ecuador; Argen tina; and Indonesia. The following delegations submitted nearly 
100 written questions after the four -week deadline: the Russian Federation; Oman; Thailand; 
Colombia; Peru; India; Dominican Republic; Malaysia; Trinidad and Tobago; Republic of Korea; 
and El Salvador.  
1.5.  Since its last review in 2013 Japan had been implementing an ambitious reform programme, 
commonly known as "Abenomics", to overcome deflation and revitalize its economy. The 
programme consisted of a "three arrows strategy": monetary easing; fisca l stimulus; and 
structural reforms, including trade liberalization. In this respect, the Chairperson was sure that 
Members would be interested in learning more about what other steps the authorities were taking, 
or planning to take, to attain sustainable d evelopment, as well as their views on Japan's future 
economic and trade prospects.  
1.6.  Both the Secretariat and Government reports noted that Japan believed that the multilateral 
trading system (MTS) should play the leading role in the process of trade liberal ization, and RTAs 
should be a complement to the MTS. This view was of utmost importance for the MTS as Japan 
was one of the biggest trading countries in the world. However, the Chairperson had noted that 
Japan aimed to increase its trade under RTAs from ar ound 19% in 2013 to 70% by 2018.  
1.7.  At the time of the previous TPR, Members had raised questions on: products of export 
interest to developing countries, notably agricultural products, textiles and clothing, leather 
products and footwear, which encountered s ignificant tariff peaks, and state trading; the 
complexity and lack of transparency regarding the development and application of technical 
regulations and SPS measures; certain restrictions on foreign access to Japan's government 
procurement; and the long -standing restrictions on Japan's domestic market for food, particularly 
border measures and the relatively high level of overall domestic support for agriculture and the 
level of its fisheries subsidies. Members had also encouraged Japan to continue reform s to 
enhance competition in energy and services sectors. These concerns had also appeared in the 
questions posed by Members in the ongoing Review. The Chairperson was sure that these and 
many other themes would be touched upon in greater detail at the deli berations on the first and 
second day of the meeting and they all looked forward to hearing Japan's responses to these and 
other queries. Of course, Members could wish to ask other issues as well.  
1.8.  The Chairperson closed her introductory remarks by wishing  Japan a very successful twelfth 
Trade Policy Review. She looked forward to its active engagement in this TPR.  
1.9.  She informed that the podcast of this meeting could be accessed on the Members' website 
after the first day of the meeting.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  2  OPENING STATEMENT BY  THE REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN ( MR TOMOCHIKA UYAMA)  
2.1.  Nous souhaitons tout d'abord exprimer notre gratitude à tous les participants, en particulier à 
la Présidente, S.E. Madame l'Ambassadeur Mariam Salleh. Nous remercions le Présentateur de 
cette réunion, Mons ieur Jean -Paul Thuillier, Représentant permanent de la France à l'OMC, pour en 
avoir préparé la présentation.  
2.2.  We also thank Director of the TPR Division, Mr. Willy Alfaro and other Members of the WTO 
Secretariat, especially Mr. John Finn and Mr. Ricardo B arba-Viniegra, for their tremendous efforts 
to facilitate Japan's TPR. For this review, we received approximately 600 questions from 
34 Members, and we are pleased to have been able to answer almost all of them, including those 
that were submitted after th e deadline.  
2.3.  The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) has proved to be extremely effective in ensuring 
the transparency of trade policies and practices of the WTO Members. Japan proposed the 
establishment of the Mechanism during the Uruguay Round negotiati ons, and we note with a 
particular sense of pleasure the role it has played as an essential part of the multilateral trading 
system during the last two decades. Japan remains committed to this exercise, and looks forward 
to continuing to work with other Me mbers for its effective management. We call on other Members 
whose reviews are overdue, to go through the process in the near future.  
2.4.  Japan is a nation that owes its economic prosperity to free trade, and as a major trading 
nation, ranks fourth in terms of  total trade volume, at 151 trillion JPY, or US$1.55 trillion for 2013.   
2.5.  At the last TPR, we presented a preview of Abenomics, announcing that Japan would 
revitalize the economy under the leadership of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had just been 
reappoin ted at that time. Today, I am extremely pleased to have an opportunity to give an update 
of our achievements over the past two years, and also touch upon future initiatives.  
Abenomics: achievements and future initiatives  
Achievements of Abenomics  
2.6.  Since th e last TPR, which was conducted two years ago, Japan has implemented the so -called 
three arrow strategy of Abenomics, namely: (1) "bold monetary policy"; (2) "flexible fiscal policy"; 
and (3) "growth strategies". These measures aim to relieve Japan from pr otracted deflation and 
revitalize the economy. Let me give a few figures that illustrate how much we have achieved. 
Corporate earnings have attained a record high, and wage growth, with the average monthly wage 
up +2% has achieved the highest level in the past 15 years. The Nikkei Index at the Tokyo Stock 
Exchange has risen to the highest level since 2000, while ROE, return on equity, for the listed 
companies has risen 50% over the previous two years. Another priority area of Japan's growth 
strategy is to c reate "a society in which all women shine". The number of female workers has 
increased by more than 800 thousand during the past two years. As for the government sector, to 
give an example, two Ministry Bureaus dealing with trade policies are now headed by  two ladies, 
maybe, familiar to many of you. I am working for one of them, fortunately.  
2.7.  The first of the three arrows is "Bold Monetary Policy": The Bank of Japan (BoJ) has pursued 
monetary easing from April 2013. In October last year, the BoJ decided on further easing 
measures. Given the recent positive indications towards overcoming deflation, we are expecting to 
realize the price stability target of 2%.  
2.8.  Flexible Fiscal Policy is the second arrow: the Government has implemented flexible fiscal 
policy in order to achieve both economic revitalization and fiscal consolidation. On one hand, the 
Government remains firmly committed to mid -to-long term fiscal consolidation, remaining 
steadfast towards realizing a primary budget surplus by FY2020. To this end, we  plan to unveil 
concrete measures this summer. In the meantime, this February, the Diet passed a stimulus 
package as the supplementary budget for FY2014 funding additional 3.5 trillion yen, which is 
expected to boost GDP by approximately 0.7%. Moreover, th e Government has decided to delay 
hiking the consumption tax to 10% by 18 months to April 2017, in order to break free from 
deflation and to ensure economic growth under Abenomics.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  Growth Strategy  
2.9.  In addition to these macro -economic policies, Japan has al so focused on its growth -strategies 
as the third arrow. They are also generating results. The Cabinet first unveiled its Japan 
Revitalization Strategy in June 2013 and a revised version in June last year, endeavouring to 
overcome regulatory problems that h ave constrained the economy for several decades. Target 
areas include agriculture, healthcare and other growth industries. Reforms are to be implemented 
by measures such as the establishment of National Strategic Special Zones. Please allow me to 
elaborate  on a few examples.  
2.10.  First, as part of agricultural reforms, the adjusting mechanism for the amount of rice 
production that has existed for more than 40 years will be reformed. In addition, Japan's 
agriculture cooperatives, which have been in place over th e last 60 years, will undergo 
far-reaching reforms. Through reforms, the Government intends to urge the agricultural sector to 
be more market -oriented and competitive.  
2.11.  Fundamental reform will be pursued also in the electric power sector for the first time in 
60 years through bringing an end to regional monopolies and liberalization of the energy market.  
2.12.  Furthermore, the Government will take steps to create a better environment for FDIs. 
Measures to strengthen corporate governance are already underway, and in June this year the 
Government will implement a corporate governance code as part of reforms. Tax laws will also be 
reformed to cut the effective corporate tax rate by 2.51% in FY2015, as a part of an ongoing drive 
to reduce the rate below 30% while broa dening tax base.  
2.13.  In this context, I should note that economic partnership or free trade agreements (EPA/FTA) 
and investment agreements, which I will come back to later, also make up an important element 
of the growth strategy; as they will serve as cataly sts to promote structural reform inside Japan.  
2.14.  These are some examples of reforms that Japan is determined to pursue. Underlying such 
unprecedented efforts is the fundamental concept of "challenge, transparency, and innovation". In 
realizing these ideals, an open global economy, underpinned by the multilateral trading system 
that is central to the work of the WTO, is essential for Japan's growth strategy to bear fruit.  
Japan's Trade Policies  
Enhancing the MTS under the WTO  
2.15.  This leads us to Japan's trade po licies and our role in enhancing the multilateral trading 
system. The multilateral trading system under the WTO is both a fundamental tenet of global trade 
and a main pillar of Japan's trading policy. Japan remains committed to achieving the full 
complianc e of the WTO rules and disciplines by all the WTO Members. To this end, Japan continues 
to actively engage in the regular work of the WTO, raising our concerns on trade distorting 
measures in relevant Councils and Committees. Japan is also a heavy user of the dispute 
settlement mechanism participating as a party to the dispute or as a third party. We reiterate our 
commitment to these efforts to maintain and strengthen the MTS.  
2.16.  In addition, Japan has played an important role in the DDA negotiations, most rec ently in 
particular towards the conclusion of the Bali package at the MC9. When the adoption of the 
Protocol on the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) was stalled, we exerted every effort through 
opportunities such as APEC and the G -20 at the highest level s to bring the process back on track. 
As I speak today, our legislature is in the process of approving the Trade Facilitation Agreement. 
Together with other Members, we would like to aim to bring it into force by the 10th Ministerial 
Conference in December  this year. Japan attaches much importance to current efforts for the Post 
Bali work programme and the conclusion of the DDA negotiations, bearing in mind its significance 
for the credibility of the negotiation function of the WTO.  
2.17.  Plurilateral negotiation s are at the same time important, such as negotiations for the 
expansion of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), Environmental Goods Agreement 
(EGA), and Trade in Services Agreement (TiSA), all of which Japan endeavours to move ahead. 
Moreover, the revised GPA, which entered into force in 2014, achieved further liberalization in the WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  area of government procurement among the parties. Japan played its part through significantly 
improving its commitment.  
Preventing Protectionism, Monitoring  
2.18.  Japan has de monstrated its commitment to refrain from protectionism, and is active in 
international efforts to prevent its spread. Since the 2008 financial crisis, recognizing our 
responsibility as a member of APEC and the G -20, Japan has been a vocal advocate to this  end. 
And here at the WTO, Japan has been active in TPRM to monitor policies and practices of the 
Members.  
Development and Aid for Trade  
2.19.  Japan is also firmly engaged in the area of development. Recognizing the profound merit of 
having access to global tra de, Japan remains committed to support early WTO accession of 
developing countries, particularly least -developed countries.  
2.20.  Japan is the world's largest donor of "Aid for Trade" in 2013, and has provided 
approximately US$26.9 billion in aid over the last t hree years. We recognize the varying needs of 
each of the developing country Members and cultivate their capacities to become self -reliant, 
through initiatives such as infrastructure development and capacity building. Via these initiatives, 
we contributed to improve the trade and investment environment in many countries, which in turn 
supports economic growth by promoting trade and investment and by establishing connections to 
global and regional production networks. Recently, Japan has reviewed its ODA pol icy framework 
for the first time in 12 years and, just last month, the new "Development Cooperation Charter" 
was formed. Today, we are pleased to announce that tackling poverty reduction through "Quality 
Growth" was placed as a central pillar, where improv ement of trade and investment environment 
is critical.  
2.21.  For African countries, Japan has led the process of Tokyo International Conference on 
African Development (TICAD), a platform, led by the leaders, for supporting development of Africa 
based on partner ship and solidarity for more than 20 years. Increasingly, we are seeking ways to 
support trade and investment through developing infrastructure and by mobilizing private sector 
resources.   
2.22.  In the area of assistance related to trade facilitation, Japan has  been cooperating with 
international organizations, such as the World Custom Organization (WCO), to enact measures 
that simplify and speed -up customs procedures and enhance the efficiency of cross -border 
procedures. Numerous projects have been implemented,  such as the introduction of electronic 
customs procedures in some ASEAN countries and the establishment of one -stop border posts in 
Africa. Given that procedures by each Member required for the entry into force of the 
TF Agreement are under progress, Japa n will continue our active supports. On these and other Aid 
for Trade (AfT) related topics, we would be pleased to provide further updates at the upcoming 
Fifth AfT Global Review Meeting which will be held in June this year.  
2.23.  In the area of services, at the  High-Level Meeting regarding the LDC Services Waiver, Japan 
has indicated what can be provided for services and service suppliers of LDCs. Japan will submit a 
notification to the Council of Trade in Services as soon as possible. Japan expects its endeavou r 
toward the operationalization of the waiver, which will facilitate the increased participation of LDCs 
in trade in services, along with its continuous efforts of technical assistance and capacity building.  
EPA/FTA and Investment Agreements  
2.24.  To complement the MTS, Japan is currently developing a network of WTO consistent EPAs 
and FTAs, and through this network seeks to further promote trade liberalization. The 
Japan -Australia EPA entered into force in January this year, which marked Japan's 14th EPA. And 
in February this year, the Japan -Mongolian EPA was signed. Since the previous TPR, Japan has 
started negotiations for the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic 
Partnership (RCEP), the Free Trade Agreement among Japan, China and  Korea, the Japan -EU EPA 
and the Japan -Turkey EPA. Presently, Japan is simultaneously negotiating eight different EPAs.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  2.25.  Japan is pursuing these EPA negotiations not only with the objective of liberalizing trade in 
goods, but also in pursuit of the creatio n of comprehensive, high level economic partnerships that 
encompass areas such as services, investments, intellectual property and government 
procurement. Japan also supports appropriate capacity building within the framework of its EPAs 
with developing co untries. As for investment, Japan is actively pursuing investment agreements as 
well as EPA/FTA that include investment chapters, and has concluded six investment agreements 
and one EPA that includes an investment chapter since the last TPR. Presently Japa n is engaged in 
negotiations to conclude a total of 16 investment agreements or EPAs that include investment 
chapters. Those will complement the WTO agreements in the age of global value chain.  
Import restrictions on Japanese foods  
2.26.  Before drawing my statem ent to a close, let me briefly touch upon the developments 
resulting from the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011. The earthquake and the following 
tsunamis caused the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, and 
in res ponse, import of certain Japanese foods was restricted in a number of Members. By now, 
many Members have lifted these restrictions based on scientific assessment. We strongly 
appreciate their objective - and science -based approach to this issue. We would li ke to request 
those Members still maintaining the restrictions also to take a science -based approach and to 
eliminate or to ease their restrictive measures.  
Closing Remarks  
2.27.  In closing, I wish to reiterate that Japan's economy has benefitted greatly from t he 
multilateral trading system, where the WTO plays a central role. This year, the 20th anniversary of 
this Organization, also marks a particular moment in the history of our country, as the 60th 
anniversary of Japan's accession to the GATT. Today the worl d economy is still struggling to 
recover from the global financial crisis, and amidst such uncertainties, the role expected for the 
WTO to provide the foundation of a strong trading system to drive growth and generate jobs is 
important as ever. Our own exp erience in the WTO and the GATT is the source of our conviction 
that further trade liberalization by all Members, now comprising 160 including many developing 
countries, is significant as ever in such testing times. While numerous regional trade arrangemen ts 
have emerged, WTO rules clearly remain the backbone of the global trading system, and the 
Organization is relevant today also owing to its robust dispute settlement mechanism, as the 
unwavering custodian of the rule of law in the area of trade.  
2.28.  Japan i s committed to further trade liberalization, and we look forward to actively working 
with all Members to maintain and strengthen the MTS that is central to the work of the WTO.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  3  STATEMENT BY THE DISCUSSANT  
3.1.  C’est un honneur d’avoir été nommé comme discutan t du douzième E xamen de politique 
commerciale du Japon, troisième  économie mondiale et partenaire très important à l’OMC, qui 
traverse une phase de réformes cruciales pour faire face au vieillissement démographique et sortir 
de deux décennies de stagnation  économique, ce qui rend l’exercice exigeant  et passionnant.  
3.2.  Je voudrais, avant de commencer, saluer M. Tomochika Uyama, Chef de délégation, et les 
membres de son importante délégation, ainsi que l’ambassadeur représenta nt permanent du 
Japon à l’OMC, S.E. Yoichi Otabe, avec lequel la coopération est toujours parfaite. Je rappelle que 
ma présentation et mes remarques sont faites en mon nom strictement personnel.  
3.3.  En tant que M embre développé, le Japon a la chance de faire l’objet d’un examen biannuel 
dans le  cadre du Comité d’examen des politiques commerciales. Cet examen est particulièrement 
propice. Il intervient une semaine après l’examen EDR de l’OCDE qui s’est tenu le 2 mars à Paris, 
et précède la mission annuelle Article IV du FMI qui se  déroule traditi onnellement en j uin. Le 
Gouvernement japonais a donc le privilège de pouvoir bénéficier d’une revue simultanée de sa 
politique économique dans toutes ses composantes par les principales organisations multilatérales, 
et d’en tirer les leçons et les soutiens  nécessaires pour ses réformes.  
3.4.  En effet, le dernier examen datait de février 2013. Il était marqué par les conséquences du 
séisme, du tsunami, et de l’accide nt nucléaire de Fukushima (les M embres avaient noté à cet 
égard que la nécessaire reconstruction n ’avait pas entraîné de mesures protectionnistes), et 
l’élection du Premier ministre Shinzo Abe en décembre 2012 avait été trop pro che pour que cet 
examen puisse dresser un premier bilan de la réorientation radicale de la politique économique 
décidée par le  nouveau Gouvernement. Comme l’avait indiqué dans ses réponse s le représentant 
du Japon, le G ouvernement japonais ét ait tout à fait conscient que " d’autres mesures, notamment 
dans la catégorie dite de la troisième  flèche,  à savoir la formulation et la mise  en œuvre d’une 
nouvelle stratégie de croissance, y compris  une vaste réforme structurelle , devrait suivre en temps 
voulu" . 
3.5.  Ce temps est donc venu, et je concentrerai ma présentation sur ce terrain pour mesurer le 
chemin parcour u depuis 2013, en invitant l es Membres qui le souhaiteraient, en complément des 
présentations du Président et du représentant du Japon, à se reporter à la présentation 
particulièrement éclairante de mon prédécesseur, l’Ambassadeur Jonathan Frie d, sur l’importance 
du Japon ("Japan Mat ters") dans l’économie et le commerce mondial (troisième PIB mondial, 
deuxième investisseur mondial à l’étranger, quatrième exportateur et importateur mondial) et 
comme acteur de premier rang à l’OMC engagé dans des accords régionaux compatibles avec les 
règles du système multilatéral, ainsi que comme premier pourvoyeur d’aide publique au 
développement (ODA).  
3.6.  Au regard de ces points forts, le G ouvernement j aponais est bien conscient des défis 
structurels qui se traduisent par un recul du Japon dans les cla ssements internationaux en termes 
de richesse, d’emploi, et d’innovation, et appellent à un certain nombre de ré formes profondes 
auxquelles le G ouvernement de Shinzo Abe s’est attelées.   
3.7.  L’environnement économique s’est profondément tran sformé depuis le d ernier examen  avec 
le développement d’un ambitieux programme de réformes.  
3.8.  Qualifié d’ "Abenomics" , le programme de réformes connaît déjà au moins une réussite 
éclatante: sa fortune médiatique, que le Premier  ministre Shinzo Abe a assurée en frappant les 
réformes de son nom comme un sceau pour une marque déposée, et en renouant 
métaphoriquement avec les représentations familières de la  civilisation pré -Meiji de la "voie de 
l’arc" ("Kyudo"), " méditation en action qui récla me d’aller au -delà de soi -même" , et d es flèches, 
pour ten dre vers trois grands objectifs : une politique monétaire accommodante d’assouplissement 
monétai re, quantitative et qualitative  qui vise un objectif de stabilité des prix de 2% pour  sortir du 
piège déflationniste  et a pour contrepartie u ne augmentation importante de la base monétaire; 
une deuxième flèche, budgétaire, qui combine la stratégie de relance à court terme à l’objectif 
d’équ ilibre budgétaire à moyen terme ; et une troisième flèche  qui cible la restaurat ion du potentiel 
de croissa nce avec une panoplie de réformes structurelles détaillées visant  le marché du travail, le WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  marché des capitaux (cadre règlementaire, services financiers, banque et assurances), le marché 
des biens (en particulier l’agriculture), et celui des services.  
3.9.  Dans le détail, la "troisième flèche"  vise quatre cibles pour atteindre des objectifs précis  avec 
quelques indicateurs -clés:  
• redynamiser l’économie par la promotion de l’investissement en termes de capital productif 
et la création de start -up accompagnées de  réformes réglementaires et institutionnelles (le 
taux de création visé est de 10% comme aux É tats-Unis et au Royaume -Uni au lieu du taux 
actuel de 5 %); 
• répondre aux défis du vieillissement démographique avec une intensification de la ressource 
en main d’œ uvre: accroître d’ici 2020 le taux de participation féminine (selon l’OCDE, le taux 
d’emploi féminin est 21% inférieur à celui des hommes, 43% de la population féminine 
ayant un enfant a un emploi, l’emploi féminin concentre 70% des emplois non réguliers, 3% 
des femmes siègent dans un conseil de directi on contre 20% au Canada ou aux É tats-Unis), 
réduire le nombre de sans -emploi de plus de six mois en cinq ans, doubler le nombre 
d’étudiants internationaux d’ici 2020 en  le portant de 60 000 à 120 000 ;  
• créer de nouveaux marchés, en particulier dans le secteur de la santé avec notamment le 
développement de la recherche médicale et de l’industrie pharmaceutique pour 
accompagner le vieillis sement démographique d’ici 2020 ; et 
• renforcer l’intégration économique glo bale pour promouvoir l’expansion des entreprises 
japonaises à l’étranger, stimuler les IDE, et promouvoir la réforme réglementaire avec 
l’établissement des zones nationales spéciales stratégiques.  
3.10.  Sur ce quatrième volet de la troisième flèche, qui a le pl us d’effets directs sur  la politique 
commerciale, les M embres pourront noter que le Gouvernement a retenu quelques indicateurs clés 
sur lesquels nous reviendrons dans notre présentation : atteindre le volume des échanges couvert 
par les acc ords commerciaux  régionaux à 70 % en 2018 (contre 19% actuellement), doubler le 
montant des IDE d’ici 2020, attirer 30 millions de touristes en 2030.  
3.11.  S’agissant du réseau des accords préférentiels existants, on se reportera aux présentations 
contenues dans le rapport du S ecrétariat et la déclaration du Japon, m ais il faut dès à présent 
noter  le virage constitué par l’engagement du Japon dans la négociation des méga -accords 
régionaux préférentiels que constituent le Partenariat Trans Paci fique (TPP), l’Accord régional 
écono mique global (RCEP), et l’Accord de p artenariat avec l’Union européenne.  
3.12.  S’agissant de l’accueil des IDE et de l’attractivité, alors que le Japon est le deuxième 
investisseur au monde, le stock des IDE localisés dans le pays par rapport au PIB est le plus bas 
des pays de l’OCDE et les flux continuent d’être très inférieurs à ceux enregistrés par d’autre s 
grandes économies développées : selon la CNUCED, après les chiffres négatifs pour 2010 et 2011, 
les entrées IDE en 2014 se sont élevées à 2,3 milliards de d ollars quand les É tats-Unis et la Chine 
enregistraient respectivement des entrées de 188 milliards  et 124 milliards de dollars. La Stratégie 
de revitalisation fixe pour objectif de multiplier les IDE par deux d’ici 2020. L’enjeu est clairement 
de passer d’ une situation où l’arrivée des IDE étrangers est appréciée comme une source 
d’innovation plutôt que comme une menace, et de lever les obstacles identifiés, tels que la 
difficulté à créer des entreprises et à embaucher des salariés qualifiés, ou le régim e des fusions et 
acquisitions. Á  cet égard, la loi de 2013 sur la création des zones spéciales stratégiques nationales 
(zones de Tokyo et de Kansai pour le commerce international de l’innovation, zones de Niigata, 
Yabu, Fukuoka pour la réforme de la réglement ation en matière d’agriculture et d’emploi, zone  
d’Okinawa pour le tourisme) suscite la curiosité sur la valeur ajoutée attendue d’une logique de 
zonage par rapport à une politique d’attractivité transversale applicable à l’ensemble du territoire, 
ainsi qu e sur les avantages concrets dont bénéficieraient les investisseurs décidés à s’implanter.  
3.13.  Le consensus règne sur le fait que les réformes structurelles combinées à l’ouverture 
commerciale sont indispensables pour accompagner les politiques d’assouplissem ent monétaire et 
de stimulation budgétaire.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  3.14.  Concernant l es principaux indicateurs macro économiques, aussi bien le FMI, l’OCDE, que le 
Secrétariat pointent les résultats nuancés à ce stade des mesures monétaires et budgétaire s 
lancées depuis 2013 par la "pr emière" et la "deuxième flèche" . 
3.15.  Même si la croissance a été meilleure en 2012 et 2013 qu’en 2011, les résultats restent 
fragiles avec la récession intervenue au x deuxième  et troisième trimestre s de 2014. L’estimation la 
plus récente de l’OCDE chiffre à 0, 1% la croissance pour 2014 (0,9% dans le rapport du 
Secrétariat), pour une p révision de 1,3 en 2015 puis 1 % en 2016, loin des projections attendues 
par le Gouvernement et la Banque du Japon en janvier 2013.  
3.16.  Concernant l’objectif d’inflation, le taux d’inf lation annuel moyen qui était de 0,4 % en 2013 
a progressé à 1,1 % en 2014 (hors hausse de la taxe à la consommation), pour une prévision de 
2% en 2015 selon le FMI conforme aux objectifs de la Banque du Japon, mais que pourrait affecter 
la baisse substanti elle des prix des importations d’énergie et des commodités. L’indice des prix, 
hors hausse de la taxe à la consommation a chuté de 0,5% en décembre 2014, et l’OCDE dans 
une projection plus récente, est moins optimiste avec un résultat d’inflation de 1,4% e n 2014 
(mais de 0,5% seulement selon l’indic ateur d’inflation sous -jacent "core CPI"  hors alimentation et 
énergie), suivi d’une projection de 1,1% et 1,6% pour 2015 et 2016.  
3.17.  L’assainissement budgétaire reste un objectif de moyen terme, avec des prévisions de 
déficit primaire (gouvernement central et collectivités) de 6,9% en 2014, 5,9% en 2015, et 5,1% 
en 2016 rendant inéluctables des me sures de consolidation fiscales  pour aboutir à l’objectif 
d’équilibre budgétaire d’ici 2015 et de stabilisation de la dett e publique (les projections pour 2016 
conduisent à un endettement de 233% contre 226% en 2014).  
3.18.  Les effets de  l’assouplissement monétaire ("première flèche" ) sur la balance commerciale 
ont été, à ce stade, mitigés, avec un déficit record enregistré en 201 3 (118 milliards de dollars). 
D’après les derniers chiffres du Ministère des f inances (février 2014), l’excédent courant du Japon 
a encore baissé comparé à 2013 à cause d’exportations insuffisamment robustes pour compenser 
la facture énergétique renchérie par la dépréciation du Yen par rapport au dollar ( -38% sur 2013 
et 2014), le déficit commercial étant compensé grâce au rendement élevé des investissements 
japonais à l’étranger. Le FMI (juillet 2014) note la combinaison de facteurs temporaires et de 
facteurs structurels qui conduit à prédire le maintien d’un d éficit commercial à moyen terme : une 
réponse lente aux fluctuations monétaires, des contraintes temporaires de capacité et une poussée 
des importations liées au rush des consommateurs en amont de la h ausse de la taxe, mais aussi le 
poids des importations énergétiques, l’effet de l’intégration du Japon dans les chaînes de valeur 
globales via des IDE massivement localisés en Asie, avec des productions et ventes des filiales 
japonaises qui excèdent les ex portations directes, et un affaiblissement de la demande adressée 
au Japon dans les biens durables. On peut noter à cet égard, la raret é des questions posées par 
les Membres sur l’impact de l’affaiblissement du Yen sur les exportations, ce qui dénote une b onne 
compréhension des motivations macro -économiques de la politique d’assouplissement monétaire.  
3.19.  C’est le signe que les instruments monétaires et budgétaires sont insuffisants s’ils ne sont 
pas corrélés avec les réformes. Il y a consensus du FMI et de l’O CDE pour considérer que les 
réformes structurelles sont nécessaires et que le commerce et l’investissement sont les deux 
canaux de transmission à privilégier pour assurer la réussite à moyen terme des "Abenomics" . 
Ainsi, le relèvement de la taxe à la conso mmation anticipé a conduit a u premier semestre 2014 à 
un boo m des ventes suivi d’un affaissement prévisible dès lors que les hausses de salaire étaient 
insuffisantes, et que la demande externe n’a pas pris le relai. La stratégie de croissance a conduit 
au résultat prévisible selon lequel l’assouplissement monétaire et les mesures de stimulation 
budgétaire sont insuffisantes pour redresser l’économie à long terme. Ces mesures peuvent avoir 
un effet de court terme, mais ne peuvent pas se substituer aux mesure s structurelles.  
3.20.  Pour assurer la dynamique et vaincre les résistances internes, y compris au sein de 
l’appareil administratif et des préfectures, le Gouvernement a mis en place en 2013 la Stratégie de 
revitalisation, révisée en juin 2014, sous le pilotage d’une unité dite de revitalisation placée sous 
l’autorité directe du Premier ministre, identifiant 10 réformes clés et un nombre important de lois 
ont été passées (réforme de la loi anti -monopole, réformes de la gouvernance des entreprises, du 
cadre de la propriété intellectuelle, modifications du régime des marchés publics , etc.), mais les 
réformes réglementaires de fond restent à venir, et certains objectifs publiés en juin 2014 dans le 
cadre de la Stratégie de revitalisation révisée visant à faire du Jap on un centre d’affaires 
d’envergure mondiale en attirant les grandes entrepr ises étrangères peuvent sembler  timides en WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  ce qui concerne notamment l’accroissement de l’emploi des travailleurs, en particulier le taux 
d’emploi des femmes, la participation de t ravailleurs étrangers, ou le nombre d’étudiants étrangers 
(l’objectif est de passer de 60 à 120 000  étudiants étrangers d’ici 2020 ; à titre d’exemple, il y 
avait 289 000 étudiants étrangers en France en 2012).  
3.21.  Á cet égard, bien que la populati on a confirmé  son soutien aux "Abenomics"  à une très large 
majorité à l’occasion des élections de décembre 2014 provoquées par le Premier ministre, on peut 
noter que la S tratégie de revitalisation retient pour l’engagement d’un certain nombre de réformes 
pour 2018 -2020 plutôt que pour 2015. Tout en tenant compte du nécessaire gradualisme inhér ent 
aux réformes de structure, une attention particulière devra donc être apportée au risque de 
discordance tem porelle dans le lancement des "flèches " , en déconnectant les mesures  monétaires 
et budgétaires, à effet de court terme si la courbe pr ix-salaires ne se redresse pas,  des réformes 
susceptibles d’avoir le plus d’effets à long terme sur le potentiel de croissance de l’économie.  
3.22.  Par ailleurs, le virage majeur entrepris par le Japon depuis 2012 en faveur de méga accords 
régionaux n’a pas atteint le stade de la conclusion et de la mise en œuvre. Le réseau actuel 
constitué de 13 accords commerciaux régionaux en vigueur noté dans le rapport du Secrétariat, a 
été complété par l’acco rd signé en juillet 2014 avec l’Australie entré en vigueur en janvier 2015. 
Pour dynamiser la croissance, l’ouverture commerciale peut être un levier à la mesure de 
l’ouverture de l’économie japonaise (le ratio du commerce des marchandis es par rapport au P IB 
est de 28 % pour une part des exportations de biens et de services de 16,9% et d’importations de 
19,5%). Pour autant, l’indicateur clé de 70 % de couverture du commerce à l’horizon 2018 par les 
ALE mérite d’être explicité, dès lors que dans le cadre des a ccords existants un certain nombre de 
secteurs sensibles restent exclus ou à libéralisation contingentée et progressive, s’agissant en 
particulier de l’agriculture (riz, produits laitiers, viande, poisson), mais aussi d’autres secteurs 
comme le cuir et la chaussure. Et le Secrétariat note également que ces produits sont aussi 
souvent exclus du régime autonome du SPG, ou avec des taux appliqués plus élevés (avec une 
moyenne de 13,9% pour le régime SPG à comparer au taux de 14,9% NPF pour les produits 
agricol es). 
3.23.  Á ce stade,  le régime commercial du Japon reste en effet marqué par une grande stabilité 
même si les changements annoncés ouvrent des pistes intéressantes au reg ard des orientations 
nouvelles.  
3.24.  Á cet égard, un commentaire plus approfondi sur l’articula tion entre le cadre de la politique 
commerciale et les réformes structurelles internes  identifiées comme cruciales sur le marché du 
travail, l’agriculture, certains services (énergie, transport, services financiers), serait 
particulièrement éclairant pour notre examen et la compréhension des M embres de la façon dont 
les autorités du Japon  ont l’intention d’utiliser la pression et le levier externe des négociations 
commerciales pour accroître le potentiel de croissance et avancer dans les réformes, même si 
l’analyse des impli cations de cet agenda pour les M embres relève plutôt du prochain E xamen de 
politique  commerciale programmé en 2017.  
3.25.  En dépit des ambitions de la "troisième flèche" , le Secrétariat note une grande stabilité des 
pratiques commerciales pour les prescriptions et procédures douanières, la structure tarifaire NPF, 
les régimes SPG, le cadre législatif et réglementaire des mesures commerciales contingentes, le 
cadre juridique relatif aux normes et règlements techniques, les normes sanitaires et 
phytosanitaires, l’étiquetage des produits alimentaires, les procédures et prescriptions à 
l’exportation.  
3.26.  Le Japon est un M embre actif à l’OMC, accordant la priorité à l’accord sur la Facilitation des 
échanges et participant acti vement aux négociations en v ue de conclure le programme de travail 
de Doha, ainsi qu’aux initiatives plurilatérales de l’accord sur les marchés publics, de l’accord sur 
les technologies de l’information, et des négociations sur les biens environnementaux. Le régime 
tarifaire est prév isible avec une consolidation très large et une moyenne des droits faible (5,8 % en 
2014 alors que l es droits consolidés sont à 5,9 %), mais avec des tarifs plus élevés et parfois des 
tarifs composites pour les produi ts agricoles (15,2 %). Les barrières non t arifaires sont cependant 
souvent mises en avant par les M embres, soit du fait de l’encadrement normatif souvent plus strict 
que les normes internationales, soit parce que les pratiques des organismes de certification restent 
compliquées pour les opérateurs  étrangers.   WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  3.27.  Par ailleurs, le Japon utilise peu les mesures de défense commerciale (un seul droit 
antidumping en vig ueur et une enquête en cours).  
3.28.  Parmi les éléments de corrélation importants entre le cadre de la politique commerciale et 
les réformes à i nscrire dans le débat, et reflétan t les questions posées par les M embres, je retiens 
en particulier : 
• l’impact des négociations des accords méga -régionaux en cours sur le cadre normatif pour 
les secteurs des biens, de l’automobile à  l’agriculture, et des se rvices: caractérisées par un 
volet réglementaire substantiel, ces négociations peuvent faciliter la réforme de certaines 
agences, le rapprochement des normes japonaises et des normes internationales, la 
reconnaissance mutuelle de la conformité, tout en pré servant le niveau de sécurité et de 
santé publiques (notamment dans le secteur alimentaire), ce qui répond aussi à des intérêts 
offensifs (automobile, pharmacie et équipements médicaux, technologies 
environnementales, par exemple), et renforce la compatibi lité revendiquée dans le rapport 
du Gouvernement japonais entre les accords régionaux préférentiels et l’OMC, nota mment 
sur les volets OTC et SPS ; 
• l’agriculture, pour laquelle les accords commerciaux ambitieux que sont le TPP et l’APE avec 
l’Union européen ne, sont susceptibles de stimu ler les ajustements structurels  en ouvrant le 
secteur, est caractérisée par une protection tarifaire élevée, avec des pics tarifaires 
importants sur certains produits (le Secrétariat note que l’écart type est de 26,5 pour les 
tarifs agricoles et que le tarif le plus élevé en équivalent ad valorem  est proche de 300%). Il 
s’agit du secteur qui suscite le  plus de questions et dont les M embres connaissent 
parfaitement l’importance politique et culturelle , même s’il ne contribue qu’ à 1% du PIB. La 
Stratégie appelle à une politique agricole agressive visant à doubler le revenu des 
agriculteurs d’ici 10 ans et les exportations. Ceci suppose d’accroitre la productivité en 
restructurant la taille des exploitations (superficie moyenne de 2,12 ha en 2013), en tirant 
parti de la démographie (56% des ménages agricoles a plus de 70 ans, selon l’OCDE) pour 
rajeunir le secteur et favoriser l’installation d ’agriculteurs à temps plein (16 % seulement des 
ménages agricoles exercent u ne activité à te mps plein et 36 % n’ont pas d’activité 
commerciale réelle), en réformant le système coopératif et de financement avec la réforme 
de JA, dont l’organisation coopérative est parfois présentée comme un frein à la mutation du 
secteur en favorisant le maintien d ’une population d’actifs agricoles occasionnels ou à temps 
partiels non compétitifs, et dont le bras financier JA -Zenchu (100 milliards  de Yens de 
dépôts) s’accompagne d’exemptions fiscales et règlementaires ;  
• la réforme du système des prix réglementés et des mécanismes de soutien au prix est aussi 
fondamentale : l’OCDE estime que le soutien au revenu des agriculteurs équivaut à 56% du 
revenu total, soit trois fois la moyenne de l’OCDE.  
3.29.  Il serait intéressant que le représentant du Japon puisse préciser davan tage le calendrier de 
ces réformes, leur impact sur les niveaux de soutien, leur lien avec le s négociations 
préférentielles:  
• le secteur manufacturier, qui contribue à 27% du PIB (2013), non évoqué dans le rapport du 
Secrétari at et la déclaration du Japon, constitue un traditionnel point fort (automobile, 
électronique, équipements électriques, systèmes de transport, pharmacie, chimie), illustrant 
le poids du Japon dans les IDE mondiaux et son intégration dans les chaînes de valeur 
globales. Dans ce secteur, les protections tarifaires sont faibles ou inexist antes, sauf 
quelques pics, mais  le besoin de stimuler l’innovation, de moderniser le tissu des 
entreprises, d’aider à la création des PME, et de renforcer les liens avec les marchés 
internationaux en favori sant l’ouverture, est partie intégrante du programme de réformes. 
Le secteur automobile, reflet de l’excellence japonaise, peut être une illustration des 
mesures attendues alors que les tarifs sont à 0%, en combinant la réforme fiscale 
("Kei-cars"), celle du zonage essentielle pour construire un réseau de concessionnaires, et le 
rapprochement normatif mettant fin aux procédures d’homologation spéc ifiques, à propos 
desquels les M embres ont posé quelques questions;  
• enfin, les services, qui contribuent pour 72 ,6% du PIB, sont l e secteur principal où peuvent 
converger les objectifs de redresser la productivité du travail, d’améliorer l’emploi des WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  femmes, et d’attirer l’investissement étranger. L’articulatio n entre les réformes annoncées et 
l’effet de levier des accords commerciaux pour renforcer l’intégration économique sera 
probablement déterminante.  Le rapport précédent mentionnait le secteur du commerce en 
gros, qualifié de " sclérotique"  par l’Ambassadeur J. Fried, et celui des télécommunications 
pour lequel l ’incompatibilité technologique conduisait à l’insuffisance concurrentielle et aux 
coûts élevés, comme étant deux secteurs susceptibles de réformes substantielles en vue 
d’accroitre le potentiel de croissance, et s’interrogeait sur la réforme du secteur éne rgétique 
consécutif à la catastrophe de Fukushima. Il serait utile d’entendre la délégation japonaise 
sur les réformes entreprises, de même que pour les secteurs des services financiers et des 
assurances pour lesquels différentes réformes ont été annoncées  en 2014 dans le but de 
renforcer l’attractivité de l’économie japonaise et d’assouplir le financement de l’économie. 
La question des services postaux et du statut de Japan Post Bank et Japan Pos t Insurance 
posée par certains M embres dans le cadre de la lo i de 2012 sur la privatisation des services 
postaux reste également posée en ce qui concerne les délais de mise en œuvre.  
3.30.  En complément de cette présentation, il peu t être intéressant de parcourir les rapports 2013 
("the Fourth Arrow") et 2014 ("Taking Act ion") de l’European Business Council au Japon. Le temps 
des entreprises n’est pas celui des gouvernements et les milieux économiques sont toujours 
impatients de voir les politiques se traduire immédiatement dans la marche quotidienne de leurs 
affaires, mai s le représentant du Japon et les M embres pourront noter que nombre de leurs 
recommandations -clés rejoigne nt certains aspects ici abordés : la reconnaissance mutuelle des 
standards, l’adoption de normes internationales,  la réduction des barrières non -tarifa ires et 
notamment les obligations d’étiquetage spécifiques, la libéralisation de la concurrence et le 
traitement non discriminatoire dans certains secteurs des services, l’ouverture élargie de la 
concurrence sur les marchés publics, l’amélioration des cond itions pour l’investissement étranger.  
3.31.  Le Gouvernement japonais est parfaitement conscient des défis à affronter, des ajustements 
à accomplir, et des atouts nombreux à sa disposition. Je ne doute pas que l’exercice présent 
contribuera à l’éclairer davantag e et renforcera sa détermination à engager le pays vers les voies 
nouvelles qu’il a lui -même tracées.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4  STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS  
AUSTRALIA  
4.1.  Australia and Japan enjoy a strong and highly complementary trading relationship. We work 
with Japan across a range of in ternational bodies, including the WTO, to advance our respective 
trade agendas. Australia and Japan are also close partners in the G -20 and we look forward to the 
opportunity to work more closely with Japan on trade liberalization, and other economic stimu lus 
measures in 2015.  
4.2.  Japan is Australia's second -largest export market, and will remain a very important trading 
partner for the foreseeable future. Japan is also Australia's third most important investment 
partner.  
4.3.  Australia welcomes the Abe government's  efforts to revitalize the Japanese economy, as 
outlined in Japan's G -20 Comprehensive Growth Strategy and in the government's other recent 
policy pronouncements. The Comprehensive Growth Strategy contains a number of ambitious 
structural reform measures w ith implications for Japan's trade policy. These include not only the 
goal of increasing the proportion of Japan's trade covered by free trade agreements, but, perhaps 
even more importantly, reforms in areas of domestic economic policy such as agriculture,  
infrastructure, healthcare and employment – these have the potential to significantly increase 
Japan's external trade. Australia and many other countries have a major stake in the success of 
these historic reforms, and we strongly encourage Japan to press  ahead.  
4.4.  For Australia, finalization of the landmark Japan -Australia Economic Partnership Agreement 
(EPA) in 2014 was one of the most important bilateral achievements for many years. We are very 
pleased to report that the Economic Partnership Agreement rece ntly entered into force, on 
15 January 2015. The EPA is by far the most ambitious trade deal that Japan has ever concluded, 
particularly in agriculture. Within ten years, more than 97% of Australia's exports to Japan will 
receive preferential access or ent er duty -free. We look forward to continuing to work with Japan 
towards further liberalization on goods, services and investment in areas where market access 
barriers remain, to maximize the benefits to Australian and Japanese consumers and producers. 
These  ongoing efforts will contribute to the continued vitality of the bilateral economic relationship.  
4.5.  Australia believes the EPA is also an important step towards the completion of other trade 
negotiations, including the Trans -Pacific Partnership (TPP) and th e Regional Comprehensive 
Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations. We value the close working relationship we have with 
Japan in both the TPP and RCEP. Ambitious, balanced, WTO -consistent TPP and RCEP agreements 
will be good for Australia and for Japan and , together, will also provide a substantial step towards 
realising the vision of a Free Trade Area of the Asia -Pacific.   
4.6.  Australia appreciates Japan's efforts to use trade negotiations to help drive agricultural 
reform and we welcome the small, positive s teps that have been taken on agricultural policy. 
Despite this, and acknowledging Japan's good record of compliance with its WTO commitments in 
agriculture, Japan's agriculture sector still remains highly protected, with prohibitive tariffs and 
TRQs, high levels of domestic support spending, state -trading arrangements and many other 
behind -the-border barriers. We look forward to more ambitious actions as part of the reform 
process.  
4.7.  Australia and Japan are both strong supporters of the multilateral trading s ystem. Australia 
values the close cooperation we have with Japan here in Geneva, including in the post -Bali 
discussions, ITA expansion, the Trade in Services Agreement negotiations and the Environmental 
Goods Agreement. Australia also wishes to acknowledge  the important work done by Japan in 
support of trade facilitation in the Asia -Pacific region, particularly in South -East Asia. This includes 
the technical assistance Japan has provided bilaterally and as part of APEC. This work has played 
an important, po sitive role in facilitating trade flows in the region, as well has helping to bring the 
Trade Facilitation Agreement to a successful conclusion.  
4.8.  We look forward to continued engagement and leadership by Japan in the WTO in the lead -up 
to MC10.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.9.  Australia as ked Japan many questions on a range of sectors and we would like to thank 
Japan for its responses to these questions. We wish Japan a successful Trade Policy Review.  
SWITZERLAND  
4.10.  At Japan's last Trade Policy Review in February 2013, we looked back over two years of 
recovery after North -Eastern Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear catastrophes with a severe 
financial impact. At the same time, Japan engages in daring monetary and spending programmes. 
The effects of these stimuli seemed to have tapered off d uring the course of last year as domestic 
consumption weakened due to a tax rise and stagnating wages. Despite a relatively weak yen, 
Japan's world - class export industry struggles with weak demand and has consecutively shifted 
investment and production ab road. Meanwhile, other sectors of the domestic economy continue to 
suffer from old structural weaknesses and a lack of competitiveness.  
4.11.  On the bilateral level, economic relations between Switzerland and Japan remain important, 
even though the shift away fr om production in Japan means that many "Japanese" consumer 
goods reach our market no longer from Japan. Here again, the changing patterns of value chains 
show the shortcomings of bilateral trade statistics. My Government will continue to work closely 
with the Government of Japan, not least through direct dialogue in the context of our bilateral Free 
Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.  
4.12.  Turning to the TPR at hand, Switzerland had submitted a series of questions in writing and I 
would like to thank the Japanese delegation for the respective answers we have received last 
week. We are currently examining them with great interest.  
4.13.  Switzerland's questions cover a broad range of topics. In the light of Japan's difficult 
economic situation and very high debt -to-GDP ratio, we had asked questions regarding the 
phasing out of the fiscal stimulus and the quite low income tax rates for individuals. Furthermore, 
as the Japanese Government states the goal to double inward FDI by 2020, our questions covered 
ways to re move obstacles to the cross -border movement of investments.  
4.14.  Switzerland believes that competition policy is an important instrument to provide a level 
playing field among domestic and foreign competitors. We therefore raised questions regarding the 
changes  in Japan's Anti -Monopoly Act and the rather numerous and sometimes wide -ranging 
exemptions from the prohibition of cartels.  
4.15.  A last set of questions relates to agricultural policy, a field where Switzerland and Japan 
share similar interests. In particular,  we are interested in Japan's considerations to open further 
the extensive coverage of its GSP scheme to include certain products in which developing countries 
would have a comparative advantage.  
4.16.  Before I conclude, I would like to highlight the important, active and constructive role of 
Japan in the WTO. For exporters of high -value, high -technology goods and services like our two 
countries, a strong rules -based system, as provided by the WTO, remains essential. We look 
forward to pursuing and further enhanc ing our already very close cooperation in this regard.  
CHINA  
4.17.  Japan remains one of the world's largest economies and also a major player of the WTO. 
Since the last review, the Japanese Government has introduced expansionary fiscal and monetary 
policies. Whi le promoting growth of the Japanese economy in the short term to some extent, those 
policies also aroused worrying problems. For example, in 2013, the share of public debt in its GDP 
has reached 240%, ranking the first among developed economies. Moreover, the spillover effect 
triggered by the sharp fluctuation in JPY exchange rate shall be not ignored.  
4.18.  We have noticed that the Japanese Government believes that the existing policies are 
insufficient for strong and robust economic growth, and it is necessary  to solve the structural 
problem by means of structural reform. We expect the Japanese Government to adopt effective 
policies to expedite economic growth and make positive contributions to the regional and global 
economic recovery.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.19.  Japan is an important Me mber of the WTO. In its Government statement, Japan states that 
it will endeavour to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). We hope that the Japanese 
Government could take TFA as an impetus to further liberalize trade and investment, and make it s 
contributions to the conclusion of Doha Round.  
4.20.  With regard to Japanese measures and regulations on trade and investment, we would like 
to highlight the issues that the Chinese industries have greatest concerns. These are about Japan's 
TBT and SPS standar ds. International regulations and standards in Japan are adopted at a 
relatively low level compared with other developed Members. Only about half of Japanese 
Industrial Standards (JIS) are based on the existing international standards, and requirements set  
by some domestic standards are much more rigorous than those of international practices, which 
has brought negative effect on trade. In light of provisions as required by the TBT and SPS 
agreements, we expect Japan to use the international standards as a basis for its technical 
regulations, otherwise sufficient rationale and scientific basis should be provided, so as to remove 
the unnecessary obstacles to international trade while protecting safety of consumers.  
4.21.  China and Japan are important trade and inve stment partners to each other. China has 
been the biggest trading partner of Japan since 2007, and Japan was the second largest trading 
partner of China in 2013. However, there are still a range of problems less favourable for the 
bilateral economic and tr ade cooperation. Taking this opportunity, we'd like to draw your attention 
to a couple of them.  
4.22.  With regard to export control imposed by Japan on China, during the recent years, Japan 
has introduced the so -called CATCH -ALL system in its export control reg ime and even some goods 
outside the export control list were subject to this new system. At present, Japan includes 
17 Chinese entities into its export control list. This practice largely affects these Chinese entities 
doing commercial business with their counterparts in Japan. These measures are unfavourable for 
long-term development of the bilateral economic and trade relation, and we urge Japan to revoke 
this unilaterally applied regime.  
4.23.  The second point is business visa facilitation. For staffs of the e nterprises with Chinese 
investment in Japan, the formalities for visa application, especially multiple -entry visas, are very 
complicated, with high thresholds for the applications, which has restrained China's investment 
expansion in Japan. Japan is strong ly advised to extend facilitation to employees of these 
enterprises, and build a more favourable business environment. .  
4.24.  We thank the Japanese delegation for their reply to the questions raised by China, which we 
will go through carefully.  
4.25.  Last but not le ast, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the effective work and 
great contribution Madam Mariam Salleh has made, as the Chair of TPR body in the previous year. 
We really appreciate it.  
REPUBLIC  OF KOREA  
4.26.  I am pleased to note that the bilateral  economic relations between Korea and Japan remain 
strong. The bilateral trade volume has expanded 400% compared to fifty years ago. In 2013, 
Japan and Korea were each other's third largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching 
US$94.7 billion. Wi th respect to FDI, Japan was the second largest investor in Korea with 
US$2.7  billion, and Korea's outbound investment to Japan amounted to US$690 million US dollars. 
All these figures demonstrate a very close economic partnership that will continue to gro w and 
develop in the future.  
4.27.  Turning to Japan's overall economic performance during the period under review, I wish to 
note that Japan's GDP showed positive growth in 2012 and 2013. I also commend the efforts of 
Japan towards revitalizing its economy amid the overall global economic downturn and increasing 
vulnerability, including a general slowdown in the Eurozone and emerging markets as well as 
vulnerability in some oil producing countries stemming from lower oil prices. I would also like to 
underline tha t, in order to get the global economy back on track, major economies including Japan 
must regain their full strength and vitality as soon as possible.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.28.  Now, I wish to refer to the observation of the Secretariat report that Japan's expansionary 
economic poli cies alone have been insufficient to achieve strong economic growth. In this context, 
we recognize that Japan has carried out substantial structural reforms since 2013. While sharing 
the view that far -reaching structural reforms are necessary to address Ja pan's long -standing 
problems such as high public debt, a rapidly aging population, high cost of doing business and 
regulatory barriers, it would be advisable for Japan to continue to take steps toward structural 
reform, including further trade and investme nt liberalization and measure to stimulate 
competition.  
4.29.  In addition, I share the concern expressed in major international fora, including the G -20 
summit held in Brisbane last year that given the interconnected nature of the global economy 
through financia l and trade linkages, due attention should be given to the so -called spillover or 
reverse -spillover effects of monetary policies.  
4.30.  We have submitted advance written questions to Japan. The questions posed by my 
delegation range from Japan's monetary policy to some of its new policies on foreign investment, 
corporate tax and competition policy. Our questions also touch upon TBT and SPS -related issues, 
including the JIS mark requirement for domestic sales and the JAS mark management system. We 
thank the Japane se delegation for providing answers to those questions, which we will review 
carefully.  
4.31.  Japan's overall simple average MFN tariff rate was as low as 5.8% in 2014, which further 
declined from 6.3% in 2012. Despite this apparently liberal tariff regime, Kore an exporters, even 
including globally competitive ones, have experienced significant difficulties in accessing to the 
market of the world's third biggest economy, due to Japan's NTBs , just as discussant 
Ambassador  Thuillier mentioned.  
4.32.  We note that Japan's NTBs range from strict and complicated domestic regulations, TBT and 
SPS measures and business practices to more explicit forms like import quotas on Korea's export 
interests such as seaweed and fishery products. Korea remains keen to work with Japan to ad dress 
those issues surrounding NTBs and the persistent trade deficit.  
4.33.  Finally, my delegation also notes with satisfaction Japan's commitment to the multilateral 
trading system embodied in the WTO, and its strong support for and participation in the current  
Doha round of negotiations. Korea has been and will continue to work closely with Japan in the 
areas of the DDA and plurilateral negotiations. With this, I would like to conclude by expressing my 
sincere appreciation to the Japanese delegation for its har d work and wishing Japan every success 
in its TPR.  
MONGOLIA  
4.34.  We thank the delegation of Japan for submitting reply to our question on Japan's SPS and 
TBT requirements.  
4.35.  Japan is an important and long -standing trading partner of Mongolia. The Government of 
Mongolia attaches a great significance to further vitalizing the bilateral cooperation with Japan in 
trade and economic areas.  
4.36.  Japan is the fifth -largest source of imports for Mongolia, after China, Russia, the United 
States and the Republic of Korea.  
4.37.  Mongolia and Japan have been maintaining closer and ever expanding economic relations. 
Bilateral trade volume between the two countries has been growing in the recent four decades 
reaching US$392.2 million in 2014.  
4.38.  In Mongolia the import from Japan was US$36 7.7 million as of last year, Mongolia's export 
to Japan was only US$24.4 million. Taking this into account, our two countries stress the 
importance of promoting two -way trade flow. Japan provides preferential access to imports from 
Mongolia under their Gen eralized System of Preferences arrangements.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.39.  A significant step has been made recently between the two countries to strengthen bilateral 
economic relations. In February, 2015 Japan and Mongolia have signed a free trade agreement - 
Japan -Mongolia Partnersh ip Agreement (EPA) - after having several rounds of productive 
negotiations. The EPA is the first free trade agreement for Mongolia. Mongolia believes that 
establishment of this agreement provides a significant opportunity for Mongolia to join the regional  
economic integration as well as to enhance the liberalization and facilitation of bilateral trade and 
investment with Japan in a range of important sectors.  
4.40.  Mongolia is pleased to see Japan's leading and constructive role in the multilateral trading 
system. We hope that today's TPR will provide a good opportunity for both Japan and its trading 
partners, including Mongolia, to assess the progress and impact of Japan's trade policy on the 
functioning of the multilateral trading system.  
4.41.  We also would like t o express our appreciation again to the delegation of Japan for their 
hard work in preparing for this TPR.  
4.42.  On behalf of Mongolia I would like to wish a very productive and successful Trade Policy 
Review to Japan.  
NEW  ZEALAND  
4.43.  New Zealand welcomes this opp ortunity to participate in the Trade Policy Review of Japan. 
New Zealand is fortunate to have Japan as one of its longest standing and most important trading 
partners. Our trade is highly complementary and forms the basis of a strong, bilateral economic 
relationship. Given this background, New Zealand takes a close interest in Japan's trade policy and 
ongoing reform agenda.  
4.44.  New Zealand welcomes Japan's policies for economic revival and liberalization and 
congratulates Japan on its decision to undertake such  far reaching reforms. Under Abenomics, 
embedded economic structures are being reformed with the aim of revitalizing the Japanese 
economy. This is clearly a difficult process. The end goal, however, should produce tangible 
economic benefits for both Japan and its international economic partners.  
4.45.  New Zealand has also appreciated the greater attention Japan has placed on regional and 
bilateral trade negotiations, such as the TPP and RCEP negotiations. The successful conclusion of 
such high quality agreements offer participating countries such as New Zealand and Japan deep 
economic benefits, which will best be realised through a high quality, comprehensive agreement. 
New Zealand remains optimistic that positive liberalisation experiences under such RTAs will gi ve 
momentum to our work here in Geneva and support global trade reform rather than be seen as a 
direct alternative.  
4.46.  New Zealand values our cooperation with Japan across the work of the WTO. While we 
inevitably do not always see eye to eye on all issues, Ja pan's constructive approach in both the 
regular work of the WTO and in the past 14 years of DDA negotiations has helped to move the 
work of the organisation forward. As one of the world's largest economies, Japan carries a key 
responsibility to show leader ship within the WTO, and with the deadline for conclusion of the post -
Bali Work Programme looming we look forward to benefiting further from this leadership in the 
coming months.  
4.47.  New Zealand has posed a number of advance written questions to Japan, and is considering 
its responses carefully. Our questions covered a number of areas including agriculture and 
fisheries issues.  
4.48.  New Zealand encourages Japan to intensify its efforts on agricultural reform. Population 
decline in rural areas, the increasing average  age of farmers, and continued high subsidisation of 
agricultural sectors all paint a worrying picture for the future of Japanese agriculture.   
4.49.  We welcome Japan's efforts to reform land tenure and cooperative structures, as a means of 
removing some signif icant constraints on agricultural productivity. The challenge is to create an 
environment where the agricultural industry can apply the same ingenuity and efficiency that 
Japan's industrial and manufacturing sectors have become so renowned for. The lesson from WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  Japan's success in other industries is that exposing agriculture to market mechanisms and global 
competition can spur competitiveness and innovation. This would reduce the fiscal burden of 
agricultural support, raise incomes in rural areas, and turn a griculture into a competitive growth 
sector than can contribute to the wider economy and compete on the global stage.  
4.50.  New Zealand has a long record of engagement with Japan in primary industries. As Japan's 
agriculture sector embarks on a period a change, New Zealand seeks to deepen its collaboration. 
Our two Prime Ministers' commitment to a "Partnership in Food" in July 2014 has already borne 
fruit.  
4.51.  Japan is a significant global player in the fisheries sector, as an importer, a consumer, a 
fishing nation and in terms of the subsidies it provides to its sector. New Zealand appreciates the 
reporting of Japan's programmes affecting fisheries under the SCM Agreement and its engagement 
on Members' related questions. New Zealand notes, however, that the income s tabilization 
measure and a cost reduction measure that cover the fisheries sector, introduced in 2011 and 
2010 respectively, have yet to be notified. It is not clear to us from Japan's response to our 
questioning when these will be notified.  
4.52.  Given the cont ext of the 2012 Rio+20 commitment to further improve the transparency and 
reporting of existing fisheries subsidies programmes through the WTO, and the WTO Secretariat's 
recent invitation to Members to submit new and full notifications by 30 June, we feel it timely for 
Japan to include these two measures in its upcoming notification.  
4.53.  Despite the many challenges that Japan has faced over the last five years, we are 
encouraged by Japan's perseverance and commitment for economic change and revival. We 
further welcome the contribution Japan has made to the multilateral trading system to date and 
look forward to it continuing to play a leading role in global trade.  
CHILE  
4.54.  La relación bilateral con Japón es la más antigua e institucionalizada que Chile mantiene en 
Asia, pues data de 1897. Ella se caracteriza por su solidez y profundidad en el ámbito político, 
económico -comercial y de cooperación.  
4.55.  En el ámbito político, los lazos bilaterales se han consolidado al más alto nivel. Más 
recientemente, en julio de 2014, s e produjo el segundo encuentro entre el Primer Ministro Abe y la 
Presidenta Michelle Bachelet, ambos en su segundo mandato.  
4.56.  Las áreas de cooperación con Japón son múltiples: energía, minería, investigación en ciencia 
y tecnología, etc. Mención especial mer ece la cooperación en materia de desastres naturales que 
cuenta con un Memorándum de Entendimiento y un proyecto conjunto para la prevención y alerta 
temprana de terremotos y tsunamis.  
4.57.  En el ámbito comercial, la relación ha sido impulsada a través del Acue rdo de Asociación 
Económica Estratégica, el primero firmado por Japón con un país de América del Sur y que entró 
en vigencia el 3 de septiembre de 2007. Nos complace informar que en enero recién pasado, se 
realizó una reunión inter -sesional del Comité de B ienes del Acuerdo con el objetivo de profundizar 
la cobertura del Acuerdo.   
4.58.  En 2014, el intercambio comercial entre Chile y Japón en 2014 alcanzó la suma de 10.035 
millones de dólares EE.UU.  
4.59.  Por otra parte, Japón es el cuarto mayor inversionista en Chile . Entre 1973 y septiembre de 
2014, el stock de inversión japonesa materializada en Chile alcanzó los 10.225 millones  de dólares 
EE.UU. Si bien cerca de un 85% del capital japonés ha tenido como destino la actividad minera, en 
el último tiempo, se han diver sificado los sectores receptores.  
4.60.  Con respecto al presente Examen de políticas comerciales, observamos con satisfacción que 
Japón continua siendo una economía robusta, abierta y transparente.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.61.  De los informes sometidos hoy a la consideración del OEPC, nos  parece muy interesante la 
constatación de la Secretaría respecto a la mejora progresiva del programa de los Operadores 
económicos autorizados que ha permitido reducir significativamente el plazo de levante de las 
mercancías importadas.  
4.62.  Quisiéramos, no obs tante, señalar algunos elementos que estimamos merecerían atención 
por parte del Miembro examinado. Por ejemplo, se indica que de los 104 aranceles más altos, 96 
de ellos eran tipos no ad valorem . En cuanto a ciertas líneas arancelarias sujetas a contingen tes 
arancelarios, 150 están sujetas a tipos aplicados fuera de los contingentes cuyos tipos medios 
difieren considerablemente y se señala que el método y el proceso de asignación de los 
contingentes siguen siendo algo complejos.  
4.63.  Asimismo, se observa que l os aranceles que gravan los productos agrícolas son más 
elevados que los aplicables a otros productos no agrícolas y varían considerablemente de unos 
productos agrícolas a otros.  
4.64.  Así, se nos presenta una estructura arancelaria relativamente compleja que po dría 
introducir un elemento de imprevisibilidad a los operadores comerciales.  
4.65.  Por otra parte, en materia agrícola, el informe de la Secretaría señala que "el alto grado de 
ayuda y protección otorgado por el Gobierno ha conseguido que la agricultura a peque ña escala 
siga siendo rentable. Sin embargo, y tal como menciona el informe de la Secretaría, el resultado 
ha sido un sector agrícola ineficiente".   
4.66.  Se citan indicadores de la OCDE y se señala que a pesar de los cambios en los programas 
agrícolas el apoyo  y la protección dada a la agricultura en Japón es alta en comparación con otros 
países y es proporcionada por un amplio conjunto de políticas, entre ellas el sostenimiento de los 
precios de mercado que junto con otras transferencias basadas en la producci ón y los insumos, se 
clasifica como una de las formas de ayuda que más pueden distorsionar la producción y el 
comercio.  
4.67.  Entendiendo las particularidades y sensibilidades de este sector, desearíamos que Japón 
considere una mayor liberalización de su sector agrícola que ciertamente redundará en una mayor 
competitividad y beneficios para los consumidores internos.  
4.68.  En el ámbito económico y comercial internacional, ambos países compartimos visiones 
comunes respecto de la importancia de la liberalización de los m ercados para el desarrollo y 
bienestar de los pueblos. En ese espíritu somos Miembros fundadores de esta organización así 
como fuimos signatarios del GATT. En esta casa hemos abordado de manera conjunta varias 
iniciativas, siendo la ultima el desafío de im pulsar un acuerdo de Facilitación de Comercio que se 
tradujera en mayor apertura de mercados y mayor integración de las PYMES a las cadenas 
globales de valor.  
4.69.  Chile espera que en el actual contexto de la OMC, Japón continuará ejerciendo el 
constructivo rol  y liderazgo que siempre ha jugado, desde el pragmatismo, la paciencia y la 
perseverancia para la conclusión del Programa de Trabajo, con miras a que la próxima Conferencia 
Ministerial de Nairobi sea el éxito que todos deseamos.  
CANADA  
4.70.  I welcome the succin ct review of recent developments provided by Japan in its Government 
report.  
4.71.  The thorough analysis in the Secretariat report, Ambassador Thuillier's insightful comments, 
and the written questions raised by various Members cover much of the ground, so permi t me to 
focus only on what I consider to be a few key considerations.  
4.72.  Since Japan's last Trade Policy Review, the policies of Abenomics have indeed sought to 
stimulate private investment, consumer consumption, and economic growth. And with the first two 
arrows of Abenomics in motion, expansionary monetary policy and flexible fiscal policy, there have 
been some positive signs of economic recovery, including record corporate earnings and the lowest WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  unemployment rate in almost 20 years. But these short term me asures cannot mask the need in 
the medium and long term to achieve fiscal consolidation to tackle Japan's still -growing debt to 
GDP ratio, in accordance with the Government's target to achieve a primary surplus by 2020.  
4.73.  I know Japan's decision -makers are a cutely aware of more fundamental, longer -term 
challenges as well. Japan's declining and rapidly aging population will impact the broader economic 
outlook, social security system, and Japan's relationship with the rest of the world. Canada 
supports efforts underway to increase female participation in the labour market and to increase 
the percentage of leadership positions held by women. These measures will help address a 
looming labour shortage. The easing of immigration policies, starting in the Special Eco nomic 
Zones, also has the potential to mitigate Japan's demographic and economic challenge. Speaking 
from experience, immigration has greatly enriched Canada's social fabric, and has contributed to 
our long term prosperity and economic growth.  
4.74.  But our focu s is on trade policy where the "third arrow" is key. Most observers say this set 
of policies is lagging. Canada urges Japan to pursue structural reform without delay by 
implementing planned reforms in areas such as agriculture and energy, and addressing lo oming 
labour shortages. For example, in agriculture, while recent steps toward reform, including to 
adjust the structure and powers of Japan's Association of Agriculture Cooperatives (JA), or 
Zen-Noh, can help enhance productivity and competitiveness by al lowing more flexibility at the 
local level, much more can be done to reduce restrictions, including by reducing agricultural tariffs 
to ensure the highest quality and greatest variety of goods to Japanese consumers at competitive 
prices.  
4.75.  In procurement, wh ile Japan has ratified the Revised WTO Agreement on Government 
Procurement, current procedures and practices favour companies physically present in Japan. 
Canada encourages Japan to further facilitate international competition in its government 
procurement  market. For example, the standardization of technical requirements would help spur 
greater competition from foreign firms, resulting in more choice and lower costs. A more open 
government procurement system would also support the Government's goal to doub le inward FDI 
stock by 2020.  
4.76.  As for services, Canada and Japan share a common objective in the context of the Trade in 
Services Agreement (TISA) negotiations: to conclude a high -quality and forward -thinking 
agreement on trade in services that would provide  our services suppliers with increased access to 
and legal stability in TISA markets. Liberalization in such areas as professional services, and the 
development of rules on telecommunications and financial services, can help spur the domestic 
consumption a nd job creation that Japan seeks.  
4.77.  Permit me also to highlight three positive trade policy developments over the last two years. 
First, we note the work Japan has undertaken, as set out in its Intellectual Property Policy Vision, 
to raise awareness of the i mportance of IP within small and medium -sized enterprises, and to 
provide support for IP activities and acquisition of rights for their use overseas. We are similarly 
committed to enhancing the Canadian Intellectual Property Office's business services that  raise IP 
awareness, and we value the recent dialogue between our respective IP agencies to share our 
experiences in these areas.  
4.78.  Secondly, we view the conclusion of Japan's Wood Use Points Program in September 2014 
as a positive step, and look forward to learning more about how Japan plans to implement its 
"Aggressive Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries" initiative.  
4.79.  Thirdly, we note the goal Japan has set itself in the "Japan Revitalization Strategy" to raise 
the percentage of its trade covered by free tra de agreements to 70% by 2018. We welcome 
Japan's embrace of an ambitious programme of multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations, 
including key WTO initiatives. Japan is a constructive partner in negotiations on the expansion of 
the WTO Information Tech nology Agreement; as I mentioned on the Trade in Services Agreement; 
and on the Environmental Goods Agreement.  
4.80.  With respect to regional and bilateral negotiations, we are firmly committed to working with 
Japan and other partners to conclude an ambitious, c omprehensive, and high -standard TPP 
agreement as soon as possible. We are equally committed to accelerating our bilateral Economic WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations with Japan, which offers an important vehicle to achieve 
liberalization tailored to our bilateral relationship, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as 
energy and natural resources, agriculture and agri -food products, and manufactured products.  
4.81.  As Canada's former Ambassador to Japan, I can attest to the fact that since the 
establ ishment of our diplomatic relations over 85 years ago, the Canada -Japan friendship has 
grown into a strong and dynamic partnership based on shared values, significant two -way 
investment, and strong bilateral flows of technology, knowledge, goods and people . Canadian and 
Japanese citizens share rich people -to-people ties thanks to diverse commercial, cultural and 
academic exchanges. In recent years, Canada and Japan have deepened their cooperation in a 
wide range of areas including energy, peace and security , aid and development, as well as 
humanitarian and disaster response. Japan also continues to be our largest source of Foreign 
Direct Investment (FDI) from Asia, and our fifth largest bilateral merchandise trading partner in 
the world.  
4.82.  Canada is looking fo rward to a constructive exchange of views on all aspects of Japan's 
economy, and we wish the Japanese delegation well in this review.  
MÉXICO  
4.83.  México ve con agrado el esfuerzo realizado por Japón para superar los efectos negativos de 
los desafortunados desas tres naturales que acontecieron en 2011, que si bien han representado un 
obstáculo, no un freno en su desarrollo económico.  
4.84.  El comercio es un pilar fundamental en la economía japonesa, representa alrededor del 30% 
de su PIB y lo coloca como uno de los gra ndes mercados del mundo. Sus esfuerzos para orientar el 
comercio al exterior se ven reflejados en su notable posición dentro de las cinco mayores 
economías importadoras y exportadoras de mercancías y servicios a nivel mundial. Desde el último 
examen, Japón  ha implementado distintas medidas para facilitar el comercio, entre ellas, el portal 
común para la ventanilla única de nueva generación y acuerdos de reconocimiento mutuo de los 
programas de operadores económicos autorizados, las cuales le permite, según el Banco Mundial, 
ocupar el puesto 20 entre 189 economías sobre facilidad del comercio transfronterizo.  
4.85.  Es de destacar el imponente desarrollo del sector de telecomunicaciones en Japón, tanto por 
su penetración de móvil de banda ancha y conexión de fibra ó ptica como por su migración hacia 
nuevas tecnologías. Los felicitamos por la estrategia revisada en 201 4 para convertirse en el país 
más avanzado del mun do en el campo de las informacio nes y telecomunicaciones.  
4.86.  México aplaude al ambicioso programa de refo rmas (Abenomics) implementado por Japón 
para reactivar su economía, establecido en tres principales ejes: el de expansión monetaria, 
política fiscal y reformas estructurales. Confiamos plenamente en la capacidad de Japón para 
alcanzar sus objetivos.  
4.87.  Si bie n Japón es la tercera economía del mundo, las tasas de crecimiento real de su PIB 
mostradas en los últimos tres años han sido de 1,5% o menor, y para 2014 y 2015 se prevé una 
tasa de 0,9 y 0,8% respectivamente. La rigidez del mercado laboral, los factores demográficos y la 
deuda pública que fueron los principales retos que en 1990 desencadenaron la década perdida, son 
los mismos que hoy enfrenta Japón. Es necesario que emprenda nuevas políticas encaminadas a 
revertir el lento crecimiento y a incrementar la productividad, entre otras:  
Estabilizar la fuerza laboral  
4.88.  La fuerza laboral de Japón, esto es personas entre los 15 y 64 años, se está disminuyendo 
en poco más de un millón de personas por año. De acuerdo con algunos pronósticos se proyecta 
un descenso de l 17% para 2030 y de casi del 40% para 2050. Para mitigar este efecto, es 
importante que Japón pueda incrementar la participación de la mujer y de trabajadores 
extranjeros. De acuerdo con algunos economistas, si en 20 años la participación de la mujer es 
igual a la de los hombres1, la oferta laboral descendería solo en 5%.  
 
1 Actua lmente la participación laboral es 84% en hombres y 63% en mujeres.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  Mejorar el ambiente empresarial  
4.89.  De acuerdo con el Banco Mundial, Japón figura en el puesto 120 de 189 economías en lo 
que se refiere al inicio de actividades empresariales lo que refleja  el bajo dinamismo empresarial. 
Si bien son importantes los esfuerzos encaminados a promover el establecimiento de nuevas 
empresas agrícolas para jóvenes, éstas tienen que ser internacionalmente competitivos y sin 
grandes barreras al comercio. Es important e que Japón mejore su gobernanza empresarial al 
promover la flexibilidad y movilidad del mercado laboral y revitalizar el capital de riesgo a las 
inversiones para fomentar la creación e innovación de empresas.  
Reactivar los flujos inv ersión extranjera hac ia Japón  
4.90.  El stock de IED cayó del 4,2% del PIB en 2008 al 3,5% en 2013, siendo el más bajo entre 
los países de la OCDE. Para ello, es importante revisar los altos impuestos al ingreso que se 
aplican a los corporativos y la rigidez en el mercado laboral, en tre otros.  
Promove r la eficiencia entre las PyMEs  
4.91.  Si bien éstas contribuyeron con el 74% del empleo y más del 50% del valor agregado en 
2012, actualmente sufren de baja productividad y rentabilidad. El margen de rentabilidad neto es 
de solo 1,5% contra 6,2 % de las grandes empresas.  
Sector agrícola  
4.92.  El sector agrícola japonés es de los más protegidos. Por el lado de aranceles, su promedio 
agrícola es casi cinco veces más que en el sector industrial (15,2% vs 3,7%), Japón ocupa el lugar 
85 entre los países con  el arancel promedio aplicado más elevado en este sector. En cuanto a los 
apoyos, éstos siguen siendo de los más elevados, concentrándose en los programas de 
sostenimiento de precios, los cuales son de los más distorsionadores del comercio y la producción.  
Las prescripciones relativas a las cuestiones sanitarias y fitosanitarias y los obstáculos técnicos al 
comercio suelen ser más estrictas que las normas internacionales, lo que produce altos costos para 
el cumplimiento de las normas de calidad y seguridad.   
4.93.  La participación de Japón en acuerdos comerciales mega regionales podría ayudar a su 
sector agrícola a migrar a un sistema más basado en las reglas del mercado.  
Deuda Pú blica  
4.94.  Creemos que las acciones contempladas en el segundo eje de los Abenomics (redu cir la 
deuda pública) van en la dirección adecuada. Sin embargo, el incremento del IVA del 5 al 8% a 
partir de 2014 y programado para llegar al 10% en 2017 con el fin de incrementar los ingresos 
públicos y sanear la deuda gubernamental, tendrá efectos en l a demanda y por tanto en el 
crecimiento económico c omo quedó demostrado en el pronó stico de 0,9% de crecimiento del PIB 
en 2014.  
4.95.  Antes de concluir, queremos agradecer las respuestas de Japón a nuestras preguntas y 
expresar nuestros mejores deseos a la del egación japonesa para la exitosa conclusión del presente 
examen.  
THE PHILIPPINES  ON BEHALF  OF ASEAN  
4.96.  ASEAN notes the Secretariat's observation on Japan's persistent trade deficit since 2011 
with the biggest annual trade deficit in 2013, due to the highest l evel of imports ever recorded 
partly on fossil fuels being a major factor as they replaced energy from nuclear power following 
the Fukushima incident and the subsequent shut -down of other nuclear power plants. Even so, this 
has not lowered Japan's ambition s and they remain to be an open and transparent economy, 
which shows as they have continued to pursue concluding and enhancing their FTAs, in particular 
the signing of their FTA with Australia and Mongolia as well as their active participation with other 
RTAs, where in the case of ASEAN, Japan is a part of the Regional Comprehensive Economic 
Partnership Agreement (RCEP) negotiations. Also, not forgetting to mention Japan's dynamic role 
in the work of the WTO.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.97.  ASEAN and Japan continue to be important trading  partners, particularly as Japan is third 
largest trading partner for ASEAN, down one spot from being ASEAN's second largest trading 
partner in 2012. As of December 2014, total trade amounted to about US$240 billion from 
US$300  billion in 2011. Positive tr ends also continue in other areas such as total inward 
investment in ASEAN and we hope these positive figures continue.  
4.98.  ASEAN and Japan signed the ASEAN -Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership in 
April 2008 which covers trade in goods, trade in services,  investment and economic cooperation. 
ASEAN and Japan marked the fortieth anniversary of ASEAN -Japan Dialogue relations by holding a 
Commemorative Summit in December 2013 in Tokyo, Japan, where Leaders adopted a Joint 
Statement and an Implementation Plan t hat serves to further strengthen cooperation to support 
the ASEAN Community -building and contributes to the ASEAN Community Post -2015 Vision.  
4.99.  At the 17th ASEAN -Japan Summit, held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar last year, our Leaders 
reiterated our commitment to double trade and investment flows by 2022, attaching the 
importance to the ASEAN -Japan Economic Forum, the Commemorative Summit, held on 
15 December 2013 mentioned earlier and recognised the important contribution of industry and 
academia to the ASEAN -Japan 10-year Economic Cooperation Roadmap.  
4.100.   ASEAN is happy to note that Japan remains an active participant in the multilateral trading 
system and has been supportive of the need to push forward towards a successful conclusion of 
the DDA negotiations. ASEAN w ould particularly like to thank Ambassador Otabe and his 
delegation for their tireless efforts and constructive engagement with delegations, including 
individual ASEAN Members, here in Geneva. We look forward to working closely with the 
delegation of Japan  to realise the post -Bali Work Programme and a successful outcome for MC10.  
4.101.   Finally, some ASEAN member States have submitted written questions to Japan's 
delegation and would like to thank them in advance for their written responses.  
4.102.   In conclusion, on beha lf of ASEAN member States, we would like to express our 
appreciation for Japan's continued and constructive partnership and we wish them every success in 
their Twelfth Trade Policy Review.  
THE PHILIPPINES  
4.103.   Since 2012, Japan has been implementing an ambitiou s reform programme to overcome 
deflation and revitalize its economy after more than a decade of sluggish performance. The 
programme consists of a "three arrows strategy" that includes: monetary easing; fiscal stimulus; 
and structural reforms in areas such as agriculture, energy and healthcare.  
4.104.   The first of the three "arrows" was a fiscal boost of ¥10.3 trillion yen, followed by another 
spending package worth ¥5.5 trillion yen in April 2014. Now, the other facets of "Abenomics" are 
being exploited. After all , an expanding Japan is in the best interest of the Philippines while a 
growing Philippines is in the best interest of Japan.  
4.105.   In 2013, Japan was the Philippines top trading partner. Japan was the Philippines top 
export market contributing to 21.25% share o f total Philippine exports. Conversely, Japan was 
ranked as the third largest import source comprising 8.37% share in total Philippine imports. In 
terms of investments, Japan contributed the largest share for the year 2014 accounting for 19.1% 
of total FDI . 
4.106.   The Philippines and Japan mutually participate in both countries' renewal following the 
disasters that occurred. The Philippines is an important source of products and services related to 
Japan's reconstruction while Japan supported the Philippines' prio rity development initiatives, 
including the development of Mindanao.  
4.107.   The past years also marked significant progress in Philippine –Japan trade cooperation. Let 
me go through some of them:  
(1)  People -to-people connectivity has been greatly enhanced with the si gning of the 
Philippines -Japan bilateral Air Services Agreement. The Philippines is more than ready for WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  this vigorous people -to-people exchange with over 14 daily flights between Manila and 
Tokyo and other major Japanese cities already in place. My governm ent recognizes this 
development with interest and looks forward to Japan's relaxation of its visa entry 
requirements for Philippine nationals.  
(2)  The Philippines supplies Japan's caregiving requirements for its aging population through 
access to nursing and  caregiving practice through our Economic Partnership Agreement. 
We hope that more consideration will be afforded to our trainees to facilitate an 
immediate fulfilment to this important demand in the Japanese market.  
(3)  Sending IT Professionals to Japan is something the Philippines would like to encourage 
and this could be greatly facilitated if the approval cycle of the certificate of eligibility 
(COE) would take a shorter time.  
(4)  The Philippines would appreciate cooperation on the implementation of the SPS  
Agreement, particularly through a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA), so Philippines' 
export products can fulfil Japan's SPS standards.  
4.108.   The Philippines recognizes the mutual benefits gained from the implementation of the 
Philippines -Japan Economic Part nership Agreement and shares the need to continue our efforts 
towards the General Review of the Agreement this year.  
4.109.   In view of the above, I am happy to convey that the "three arrows" that Prime Minister 
Abe had fired extended not only to Japan but also t o the Philippines.  
4.110.   The Philippines congratulates Japan for its 12th trade policy review and would like to wish 
the delegation, led by Mr Tomochika Uyama, Deputy Director -General of the Economic Affairs 
Bureau, a successful Trade Policy Review. Our apprecia tion also goes to the Secretariat for 
preparing a comprehensive report and H.E. Mr Jean -Paul Thuillier (France) for his insightful 
comments as discussant.  
4.111.   In closing, Madame Chair, I would like to join others in congratulating you for your efforts 
as Chai r of the TPRB.  
UNITED  STATES  
4.112.   Japan is a vital strategic and economic partner to the United States, and a key figure in the 
global trading system. We welcome Japan's commitment to pursuing ambitious, high standard 
international trade rules, as exemplified m ore prominently in its participation in Trans -Pacific 
Partnership talks. In addition, Japan's strong role as a member of APEC further supports our 
mutual interest in promoting a broad trade liberalization agenda.  
4.113.   Within the WTO, the United States highly va lues its close working relationship with the 
Government of Japan and Japan's long -time support for the rules -based multilateral trading 
system embodied by the WTO. We also note Japan's continued contributions to working through 
WTO institutions to ensure t hat unilateral introduction of new protectionist measures does not 
undermine the important progress the WTO has made in opening markets around the world.  
4.114.   We also appreciate the strong working relationship with our teams on the ITA expansion 
negotiations, a nd share the view that the negotiations should be finalized as soon as possible, so 
that we can move on to the important work of implementing an agreement and gaining its 
benefits. We also note Japan's important leadership role in the TiSA negotiations.  
4.115.   In the two years since the last Trade Policy Review, Japan has continued to bring new 
Economic Partnership Agreements into force, most recently with Australia. However, we note the 
low level of ambition reflected in the agricultural component of its new agre ement with Australia. 
The same could also be said of Japan's most recent EPAs with Peru and India. As a global leader 
with important responsibilities within the world trading system, we look to Japan to demonstrate a 
higher level of ambition in future free  trade agreements, particularly the Trans -Pacific Partnership.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.116.   The United States greatly appreciates Japan's efforts to undertake structural reforms that 
will boost domestic growth to the benefit of Japan and the entire global trading community. In 
particu lar, the United States commends Prime Minister Abe's efforts to reform the Japanese 
agriculture sector. As he succinctly explained, "Sweeping reforms of agriculture policy can wait no 
longer." Indeed, the reforms of agriculture cooperatives that he has pro posed are historic —if 
successfully implemented, they will be the first in six decades. These long -awaited domestic 
reforms coupled with agriculture market liberalization steps taken through the Trans -Pacific 
Partnership create the prospect of a new era for  Japanese agriculture.  
4.117.   Meaningful structural reforms in Japan will lead to increased productivity, provide a 
renewed engine for economic growth, and help ameliorate global trade imbalances. The Prime 
Minister has highlighted a number of other areas for ref orm, including ones relating to corporate 
governance, medical care, taxes, government reorganization, and labour markets. With regard to 
regulatory reforms, the Prime Minister has recognized that bold regulatory reform will boost 
Japan's productivity and r aise Japan's global competitiveness.  
4.118.   We applaud the Prime Minister's vision and commitment, and support his efforts to 
promote reform and mutually beneficial economic expansion. In this context, Japan's participation 
in the Trans -Pacific Partnership negoti ations could substantially contribute to Japan's objectives for 
economic reform and growth, including the success of the Prime Minister's "third arrow," the 
objective of which is to advance structural reform of the Japanese economy. The Prime Minster 
himse lf recently noted the TPP's importance, explaining that completion of trade and investment 
deals such as the TPP "are among the most urgent tasks we face." And in 2013, he observed that 
the TPP is a framework that promises "prosperity in the future" in the  Asia-Pacific.  
4.119.   With a renewed electoral mandate, we remain hopeful that the Abe administration will 
continue to undertake ambitious domestic regulatory reforms and other structural measures to 
stimulate competition and new economic opportunities. Renewable  energy is also an area where 
we hope to see increased market access. Further, although Japan's industrial tariffs are generally 
low, significant non -tariff barriers remain. As a result, the United States continues to look to Japan 
to take new, bold steps to increase transparency, reduce unnecessary regulation, and remove 
other non -tariff barriers to trade.  
4.120.   From this perspective, one key priority that the United States continues to urge Japan to 
address is to ensure a level playing field and equivalent cond itions of competition between Japan 
Post and the private sector in the insurance, banking, and express delivery sectors. We will watch 
closely the privatization of Japan Post as it unfolds later this year. Another priority area is for 
Japan to ensure that its SPS measures are based on science and consistent with international 
standards. The United States also urges Japan, among other steps, to remove non -tariff barriers 
that impede foreign automotive manufacturers' ability to compete on a level playing fiel d with their 
Japanese competitors; take actions to ensure Japan's information technologies and 
communications market is open and promotes fair competition; ensure transparent and fair 
opportunities for foreign companies to compete for government procuremen t contracts; and 
ensure equivalent access for foreign companies to qualify for government -funded fiscal and 
incentive programs offered in specific sectors.  
4.121.   The United States appreciates Japan's support for expanding global trade and its 
commitment to the m ultilateral trading system. The United States looks forward to continued close 
cooperation with the Government of Japan in working towards a more open trading system.  
COSTA  RICA 
4.122.   Costa Rica participa con gran interés en este Examen de políticas comerciales de Japón, 
que es además un importante socio comercial en Asia: es el segundo origen de las importaciones 
de esa región a nuestro país y el cuarto destino de nuestras exportaciones.  
4.123.   Costa Rica también quisiera reconocer el importante papel de Japón en la OM C, su apoyo 
decidido al sistema multilateral de comercio, su compromiso para lograr que las negociaciones de 
la Ronda Doha alcancen una conclusión exitosa y su valiosa contribución al programa de ayuda 
para el comercio de la OMC. Costa Rica, al igual que J apón, participa en iniciativas como la 
ampliación del Acuerdo sobre Tecnología de la Información (ATI), el Acuerdo sobre el Comercio de WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  Servicios y el Acuerdo sobre Bienes Ambientales. Costa Rica además comparte con Japón intereses 
en temas como el relativ o al fortalecimiento de las normas de la OMC, en particular en materia de 
antidumping, el Examen del Entendimiento de Solución de Diferencias, el interés en el impulso del 
crecimiento verde y el estudio de las cadenas globales de valor.  
4.124.   Tanto el informe de  la Secretaría como la exposición de políticas hecha por el Gobierno 
japonés hacen referencia a que las medidas aplicadas para la recuperación de la economía 
japonesa han comenzado a estimular la economía, aunque aún se requiere avanzar en la 
resolución de  problemas estructurales importantes para lograr un crecimiento económico vigoroso, 
lo que incluye aumentar la participación de la mujer en el empleo y hacer frente al envejecimiento 
de su población. En este sentido, nos parece muy interesante para este ej ercicio conocer los 
planes futuros del Gobierno japonés para resolver estos problemas estructurales, en particular las 
medidas dirigidas a la liberalización del comercio, a estimular la competencia y atraer más 
inversión extranjera directa, temas clave a l os que se ha hecho referencia en las declaraciones 
anteriores.  
4.125.   Sigue llamando nuestra atención, que a pesar de los cambios introducidos en los últimos 
años, se mantiene un elevado nivel de protección al sector agrícola, a través de diferentes 
medidas entra  las que se encuentran los aranceles elevados, contingentes arancelarios, políticas 
de ayuda interna y medidas no arancelarias. Lo anterior lleva a que, según indica el Informe de la 
Secretaría, los precios internos se mantengan por encima de los precios m undiales. Por otro lado, 
el Informe de la Secretaría indica que aunque Japón ha continuado la transición a un sistema de 
ayuda basado en el sostenimiento de los ingresos, el sistema de sostenimiento de precios del 
mercado aún sigue siendo el componente pri ncipal de las ayudas concedidas al sector agrícola. En 
ese sentido, seguiremos con interés los pasos que está dando Japón hacia un comercio agrícola 
orientado al mercado y para aumentar la competitividad y la productividad de este sector a largo 
plazo.  
4.126.   En el marco de este Examen de políticas comerciales, Costa Rica presentó a Japón un 
conjunto de preguntas sobre varios elementos de su política macroeconómica y comercial. Quisiera 
agradecer la atención que Japón ha dado a estas preguntas, y concluir mi inter vención deseándole 
muchos éxitos en este Examen de políticas comerciales.  
SINGAPORE  
4.127.   Singapore -Japan economic relations are underpinned by the Japan -Singapore New -Age 
Economic Partnership Agreement (JSEPA). The JSEPA was Japan's first -ever EPA and one of 
Singapore's earliest FTAs with a major trading partner. This speaks volumes of the strength of our 
bilateral relationship and economic links, which has only grown stronger since the JSEPA entered 
into force in 2002. Last year, Japan was Singapore's 9th large st trading partner, with bilateral 
trade reaching US$34 billion.  
4.128.   Bilateral investment flows also continue to be substantial. As of end 2013, Japan was 
Singapore's 3rd largest cumulative investor with cumulative direct investment totalling 
US$52  billion wh ilst Singapore was Japan's 4th largest source of cumulative investments. Japanese 
companies have been operating in Singapore for a long time, and are increasingly using Singapore 
as their global trading headquarters and as a centre for talent and business development. 
Similarly, Singapore companies have also actively invested in Japan, particularly in the real estate, 
hospitality and logistics sectors and more recently, in the food services, chemicals, electronics and 
precision engineering sectors. As we co mmemorate the 50th anniversary of Singapore -Japan 
diplomatic relations next year, Singapore looks forward to the completion of the on -going JSEPA 
review, which will ensure that the JSEPA remains relevant to business needs and pave the way for 
stronger bila teral economic linkages.  
4.129.   Singapore also cooperates closely with Japan in regional integration initiatives such as the 
Trans -Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the 
ASEAN -Japan Comprehensive Economic Agreem ent (AJCEP). These initiatives reflect Japan's 
continued commitment towards increasing trade and investment relations in the region and also 
underscore Japan's pro -liberalisation stance. According to the Japanese Government's report, 
Japan's exports to and  imports from ASEAN increased by 4.8% and 11.5% respectively in 2013 WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  compared to 2012. Singapore looks forward to continuing our close cooperation with Japan to 
strengthen regional economic integration.  
4.130.   At the WTO, Singapore greatly appreciates Japan's com mitment to trade liberalization and 
role as a defender of the MTS. Singapore welcomes the lowering of Japan's overall simple average 
applied MFN tariff rate from 6.3% in 2012 to 5.8% in 2014. Japan has faced persistent domestic 
economic challenges, includi ng a growing trade deficit and the economic impact of the 2011 
earthquake, tsunami and nuclear incident. However, Japan has commendably not raised tariffs and 
continues to be a leading voice against protectionism and trade restrictive measures, not only at  
the WTO, but also at other international fora such as the G -20 and APEC. Japan has also been a 
strong and consistent supporter of development initiatives.  Singapore looks forward to working 
closely with Japan to further trade liberalisation in the WTO th rough, inter alia , the post -Bali Work 
Programme, Information Technology Agreement (ITA) expansion and Environmental Goods 
Agreement (EGA). We also look forward to Japan's speedy ratification and deposit of the 
instrument of acceptance for the Trade Facilit ation Agreement.  
4.131.   As the world's 2nd largest foreign direct investor, 3rd largest economy and 4th largest 
importer and exporter of goods, Japan's continued economic health is vital to global economic 
recovery and the viability of global value chains worldwi de. Singapore hopes that Japan will 
continue to stay the course with reforms in its financial and capital markets, as well as its efforts 
to reduce the ratio of public debt to GDP, encourage inward FDI, and improve productivity, 
especially in the services sector. We also encourage Japan to continue in its efforts to liberalize its 
agriculture sector.  
4.132.   Here in Geneva, the Singapore delegation enjoys a close working relationship with 
Ambassador Yoichi Otabe and his team of extremely capable and dedicated colle agues. We look 
forward to continuing this close collaboration and advancing our common goal of a post -Bali work 
programme by July and a successful 10th Ministerial Conference in Nairobi. Singapore thanks 
Japan for their responses to our written questions a nd wishes Japan a very successful 12th Trade 
Policy Review.  
TURKEY  
4.133.   Japan has a significant importance for the global economy and trade. Being the third 
biggest economy in the world, Japan's level of success and means of strategy in overcoming 
deflation and  revitalizing her economy will also have great implications for the other WTO 
Members.  
4.134.   Japan has been implementing a comprehensive reform program to support domestic 
demand in the recent years. Taking into account the prolonged period of stagnation, the ne gative 
effects of the earthquake and tsunami of 2011 and the global crisis, Japanese GDP growth of 1.5% 
in 2012 and 2013 was then pretty enough to be optimistic about the success of the program. But, 
relatively low level of growth (0.9%) in 2014 and weak e xpectation for 2015 (0.8%, IMF) show us 
that there is still some way to drive for Japan to achieve satisfactory growth.  
4.135.   Besides low economic growth, the highest ratio of public debt to GDP in the world and the 
volatility of the Japanese yen against foreign  currencies are the two areas of additional concern. 
We think that a good balance between a sustainable economic growth and these two issues can 
only be reached if the Japanese Government puts the challenging and even painful structural 
reforms into effect  with the optimum fiscal and monetary policy mix. Fortunately, there is also 
enough reason for us to believe in the capacity and the willingness of the Japanese Government to 
do so.  
4.136.   Japan has continued to be an active supporter of the ruled -based multilate ral trading 
system during the review period. Japan's transparent and predictable trade policy based mainly on 
the customs tariffs and its little use of trade remedies are appreciated.  
4.137.   We are also pleased from Japan´s commitment and leadership to help LDCs through 
comprehensive programs such as "Development Initiative for Trade", "One Village One Product" 
and the GSP.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.138.   At this point, let me also thank to our Japanese colleagues who work at the Permanent 
Mission to the WTO for their hard work and valuable cont ribution to the daily activities under this 
roof. 
4.139.   Japan is a valuable partner for Turkey. We also enjoy a good cooperation with Japan within 
the G -20 and in various plurilateral agreements such as TISA, ITA and EGA. Turkey and Japan 
have always enjoyed an excellent political relationship. Unfortunately, as we also stated in Japan's 
last review, our trade volume (US$3.5 billion in 2014) is still far away from both reflecting the 
potential of our economies and mirroring our good political relations. In additi on, it should be 
mentioned that our bilateral trade is remarkably in favor of Japan, which we believe has to move 
towards a balance.  
4.140.   In terms of foreign direct investment, although Japan is one of the leading investor 
countries in the world, Japanese FDI i n Turkey in the last decade was limited to US$1.5 billion, 
whereas Turkey was able to attract an FDI inflow of US$117 billion globally in the same period. In 
this framework, Turkey also wants to attract more foreign direct investment from Japan as well as 
increase her traditional trade in goods and services.   
4.141.   Concerning the agricultural sector which is heavily regulated, I would like to underline in 
particular the application of strict SPS measures by Japan, which unfortunately prevents Turkey 
from exporti ng some important agricultural products. We hope that Japan will complete the 
necessary procedures soon, and make it possible for allowing these products to be present in the 
Japanese market.   
4.142.   As mentioned in the Secretariat report, Japan and Turkey have started to negotiate an 
Economic Partnership Agreement during the review period. The first round of the negotiations was 
held in December, 2014. The Agreement will cover a broad range of areas including trade in goods 
and trade in services, customs procedu res, investment, e -commerce, intellectual property rights, 
and competition. We believe this Economic Partnership Agreement will help us to strengthen and 
further develop our bilateral economic and trade relations.  
4.143.   Finally, I would like to express my apprec iation Mme Chair for your able conduct of the 
TPRB during your term.  
NORWAY  
4.144.   Four years have passed since the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake struck Japan 
on 11 March 2011, causing tremendous human and economic suffering and Norway would like to 
praise the Japanese people for its efforts and sacrifices throughout the recovery process.  
4.145.   First, a few remarks on the bilateral trade relationship between Norway and Japan. Japan 
is the third largest trading partner for Norway in Asia. Norwegian imports of goods from Japan 
have increased during the last years. The total trade in goods between Norway and Japan has 
been relatively unchanged, despite the downturn in other markets. Trade in services between 
Norway and Japan is considerable, one third of this tra de being in the maritime sector.  
4.146.   Fresh fish is among the major Norwegian export products, in particular fresh salmon and 
mackerel, and Norwegian seafood has become an important part of Japanese food culture. 
Furthermore, we notice that Japanese companies p lay and increasingly larger role in the marine 
produce value chain, further underlining our common interest in an open and transparent market 
with predictable rules for the trade in fish and seafood.  
4.147.   Maritime transport is an important facilitator of world trade, and Norway gives high priority 
to this sector. Better access to and supply of maritime transport services on open and equal 
market conditions is beneficial to all WTO Members and crucial to economic development. Norway 
believes improved offers and b inding commitments in the WTO are important for fair competition 
and economic growth. Japan is a major maritime actor with the world's second largest fleet, and a 
key player in this regard.  
4.148.   Japan is the world's third largest economy, and Norway has high ex pectations for the 
reconstruction and the economic reform process that Japan is currently going through. We hope WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  Japan will succeed in the Abenomics effort to create sustainable economic growth after years of 
deflation, for example through energy market re forms and by better including the female 
population into the labour market.  
4.149.   Allow us also to mention that Norwegian exporters of maritime equipment have indicated 
concerns about difficulties to enter the Japanese market. As a major shipbuilding nation, Jap an is 
of particular interest. Our products are used extensively in other markets, but it would seem that 
shipyards and ship owners have a preference for Japanese products when contracting, building and 
equipping ships and that certain customs rules may imp ede import and installation and/or 
replacement of parts needed on foreign vessels. Against this background, we would like to ask if 
there are any legislative measures, customs regulations, schemes related to financing or other 
measures that may hinder ship yards and ship owners from buying foreign maritime equipment. 
We would ask the Japanese delegation to look into this problem and get back to us with a 
clarification of present practices and rules in order to facilitate access to the important Japanese 
market. 
4.150.   To facilitate international trade and integrate the Japanese market better into world trade, 
more harmonization and mutual recognition of standards, product certifications and marketing 
authorizations, as well as adoption of international standards in Japan would be highly welcomed. 
We have noted the need for such harmonization with international standards, in particular in the 
energy sector, health/welfare and medical equipment, offshore installations, environmental 
technology, consumer products and fo od, including a harmonization of Japanese rules pertaining to 
food safety. We would therefore enquire whether the Japanese delegation could respond to this.  
4.151.   With reference to chapter 2 in the report by Japan, we are pleased to note that Japan is 
actively e ngaging in the plurilateral negotiations in relation to the Information and Technology 
Agreement (ITA), Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) and the Environmental Goods Agreement 
(EGA). It is important that Japan, as one of the largest trading economies in t he world, plays an 
active role together with other WTO Members in pursuing multilateral trade liberalization.  
4.152.   Norway welcomes Japan's increased focus on bi - and multilateral trade agreements, which 
can further promote international free trade while complem enting the engagement within the 
WTO.  
4.153.   Japan is a very close partner for Norway in the WTO, and plays an important role in the 
WTO in general. We would like to give credit to Japan for its constructive and positive contributions 
when it comes to negotiation s on rules in particular. Agreement on rules, along with e.g. NAMA 
and services, is important for a result in the DDA negotiations.  
4.154.   In conclusion, we are confident that this review will be useful both for Japan as well as for 
the other participants. We loo k forward to receiving your response to our comments here today, 
and we are grateful for answers given to our written questions which we will study in detail.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
4.155.   Needless to say that Japan is a strategic partner for the EU on many issues that i nclude, 
but are not limited to trade and investment.  
4.156.   Since the last review in 2013, Japan has put in place an ambitious reform programme to 
overcome deflation and to revitalize its economy after more than a decade of slow performance. 
The EU, while apprec iating the package of reforms in its entirety, looks with a particular interest to 
the measures that will be implemented to further open the Japanese economy to foreign trade and 
investment. The EU is fully aware that the reforms and measures are not easy to push through, 
but we can only encourage Japan to pursue the good work undertaken.    
4.157.   A word on our bilateral relationship with Japan. The trade and economic relationships 
between the EU and Japan date back in time and have gradually developed into multi ple policy 
dialogues that are helping foster closer cooperation between two like -minded partners. The EU and 
Japan now work closely on a wide range of issues ranging from economic, trade and investment 
matters to regional security, development, disaster re lief and management, human rights, energy 
and environment, social policy and science and technology.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.158.   The EU is willing to further intensify its relations with Japan and in this respect negotiations 
aiming at conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a  Strategic Partnership Agreement 
(SPA) are on -going. The conclusion of an FTA between the two of the world major economies must 
result in more transparent and open markets in Japan. Moreover, the EU remains convinced that 
the issues currently being negotia ted under the FTA would complement the "third arrow" of 
Abenomics aimed at structural reform.  
4.159.   I also wish to convey the EU's appreciation for the constructive role played by Japan in 
putting the WTO back on the negotiation track. The EU trusts Japan will c ontinue to be fully 
engaged to the multilateral trading system as expressed in its report and shares with Japan the 
willingness to assess the possibility of reflecting the outcomes of the bilateral and plurilateral 
initiatives in the multilateral trading s ystem.  
4.160.   Despite Japan's efforts to reform its economy, there are a number of barriers to trade in 
goods, services, investment and public procurement that continue to hinder exports in sectors 
where demands for European products and services would be otherwi se high. The EU hopes that 
Japan's commitment to regulatory reform will remain unaltered and, if anything, strengthened 
under the renewed government of Prime Minister Abe.  
4.161.   In particular, the EU notes that the FDI restrictions have been in place for a long  time and 
have led to a very low level of inward FDI in Japan compared to other major world economies. In 
its report Japan mentions measures to attract FDI. The EU is interested to know more which 
measures Japan will adopt to encourage FDI.  
4.162.   Then, turning to the EU questions, let me stress that the issues we raised are considered 
and confirmed by EU operators as obstacles to trade. Today, I will only focus on a few of them:  
4.163.   Regarding Public Procurements, the EU notes that the procurement market remains 
difficult to access for foreign bidders. The EU welcomes Japan's reply stating that voluntary 
measures to ensure non -discriminatory, transparent, fair, competitive and open public sector 
procurement procedures have been implemented and hopes that these measure s will allow a 
larger opening of its procurement market in the near future. The same way, the EU hopes that 
on-going policy developments on government procurement such as green procurement or 
measures in favour of SMES will be conducted on the basis of obj ective criteria and a non -
discriminatory approach.  
4.164.   Regarding services, the EU has submitted to Japan several questions showing the EU 
concerns for the insufficient liberalisation of the services sector. The EU considers that further 
liberalisation of servi ces is needed for enhancing competition and fair and equal treatment of all 
companies, both domestic and foreign, for example in the postal and courier sector.  
4.165.   Finally, in the field of sanitary and phytosanitary measures, the EU would like to reiterate 
its call on Japan to align its domestic standards with the international ones such as the OIE in case 
of regionalisation and on beef and bovine products in case of import conditions. Concerning the 
additive and pesticide approvals, the EU similarly hopes to s ee that alignment with international 
standards leads to accelerated approval procedures while maintaining an adequate balance 
between security concerns and legitimate trade.  
4.166.   Concluding, I thank the delegation of Japan for your kind attention. The EU looks  forward 
to Japan's responses to the questions that have been put forward today and that have been 
submitted previously in writing.  
THE SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU  
4.167.   The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu and Japan have 
enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial trading relationship for many decades. Japan has for long 
been our third largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investment. Since 2011, our 
bilateral cooperation has been stren gthened even further by the signing of various agreements, or 
MOUs, in areas such as investment, open skies, the mutual recognition of inspection results, 
industrial cooperation, E -commerce and tourism, as well as financial supervision and intellectual 
property.   WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.168.   With such a close bilateral relationship, and given Japan's leading role in the Asia -Pacific 
region, we naturally attach great importance to Japan's new economic reform programme and its 
impact on the Japanese economy.  
4.169.   We see from the Secretariat report that the expansionary monetary and fiscal policy 
measures adopted by Japan since the last review have provided support to the economy, but not 
enough to achieve strong economic growth. In 2013, Japan's economy grew by 1.5%, supported 
by strong indus trial production, retail sales and consumer spending, while real GDP growth in 2014 
is estimated at just 0.9%. The consumption tax increase from 5 to 8% had a negative effect on 
domestic demand.  
4.170.   Japan's trade deficit reached a record high in 2013, and des pite its exports increasing in 
U.S. dollar terms, imports also grew to their highest level ever. We look forward to the full 
implementation of Japan's revised Growth Strategy which includes a number of far -reaching 
structural reforms, and hopefully it will  help re -boost the economy.  
4.171.   On the multilateral front, we recognize the leading role of Japan in the regional and 
multilateral trade forums, such as APEC and the WTO. We hold similar positions to Japan in the 
WTO negotiations on Agriculture, Services, GI registers and Rules, and we are both part of the 
plurilateral negotiations on ITA expansion, EGA and TiSA.  
4.172.   In specific sectors, Japan provides preferential access under the GSP to 144 countries. The 
GSP scheme is revised every ten years, with the next revi sion due in 2021. In fact, we find Japan's 
GSP graduation requirements to be less strict than some other developed Members. Therefore, we 
encourage Japan to review the GSP graduation requirements in order to maintain fair competition 
in its internal market .  
4.173.   In addition, we do have some concerns over Japan's Customs procedures and 
requirements. The Advance Filing Rules (AFRs) on fresh products imported into Japan were 
adopted by Japan's Customs on the 1st of March 2014. These rules require a vessel operator  to 
electronically submit information to the Japan Customs on the maritime container cargoes to be 
loaded onto any vessel intending to enter a port in Japan, in principle no later than 24 hours 
before departure of that vessel from the port of loading. This  means that all fresh products from 
neighbouring countries, including fruits and flowers, have to be harvested or processed 24 hours 
at least in advance of the vessel leaving the port. Freshness and quality is therefore harder than 
usual to maintain and gu arantee. We raised this issue bilaterally last year. Hopefully, Japan can 
recognize the need to take measures to counteract our trade concerns.  
4.174.   Finally, I'd like to express my appreciation to Ambassador Otabe and his capable team for 
their active roles an d contribution to the WTO. I wish Japan a most successful and constructive 
Trade Policy Review.  
BRAZIL  
4.175.   It is a special opportunity for me to participate in the twelfth Trade Policy Review of Japan, 
a country I have always admired, but now feel closer to af ter serving as Brazil's Ambassador in 
Tokyo for almost three years up to October 2013.  
4.176.   We all know that Japan, the third largest economy worldwide and the fourth global trader, 
has a crucial role in the recovery of the world economy by means of increased p roductivity and 
enhanced competitiveness. In the WTO context, it has been committed to the successful 
conclusion of the DDA and the preparation of the Post -Bali Work Program.  
4.177.   The Secretariat report notes that despite many challenges, including the devastat ing 
earthquake in March 2011 – I was there at the time, four years ago on Wednesday – Japan 
attained economic growth in 2013 and 2014, with a positive forecast for 2015. Growth that is 
linked to the "Three Arrows Strategy" of reform, which encompasses mone tary easing, fiscal 
stimulus and structural transformation in areas such as energy, healthcare and agriculture.  
4.178.   The issue of agriculture is particular interest for Brazil. Farm reform is long overdue and 
unavoidable if Japan really wants to pursue economic  reforms on a sustainable footing. WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  Notwithstanding some steps taken over the past few years, support and protection provided to 
agriculture remains significantly high when compared to other countries.  
4.179.   Japan's domestic support level is higher than the OECD average. Market price support, the 
distinguishing feature of Japanese farm policy, is considered by experts one of the most production 
and trade -distorting forms of support. Administered prices, particularly in pork and beef, heavily 
affect developing coun tries exporters, such as Brazil, not to mention Japanese consumers.  
4.180.   Though declining, the average agricultural tariff stands at 14.9%, far higher than duties 
imposed on industrial goods. A closer look indicates a rather complex picture in agriculture: tari ff 
peaks are found in 6.6% of the lines, some of which are close to 300%; the fill rates of tariff 
quotas, covering around 200 lines, are considerably uneven.  
4.181.   On SPS, Japan often imposes more restrictive requirements than those internationally 
practised or  agreed upon, prompting unnecessary rises in compliance costs for exporters. In light 
of all these considerations, Brazil welcomes and encourages the decision of the Japanese 
government to implement structural farm reform, and urges that it do so as ambiti ously and as 
expeditiously as possible.  
4.182.   As regards the industrial sector, Brazil has been continuously and attentively monitoring 
support related to the development of the first and, now, the second generation of the Mitsubishi 
regional jet project. For th e sake of transparency, we have consistently raised this issue bilaterally 
and at the relevant WTO committee. Unfortunately, the replies provided by the Japanese 
government until now, including those last week, have been vague, especially given the need th at 
the compliance of such support with WTO rules be ascertained. We urge the Japanese Government 
to show greater engagement and provide satisfactory response as promptly as possible.  
4.183.   Brazil and Japan have forged a strong bilateral relation in investment an d trade. Japan 
ranks as the third largest FDI source in Brazil, with a preeminent position particularly in the 
shipbuilding, mining, automotive and agribusiness industries.  
4.184.   On trade in goods, Japan is our sixth trade partner globally, and the second in Asi a. 
Although dynamic, Brazilian exports to the Japanese market are highly concentrated on basic 
products (iron ore, coffee, soybeans), whereas our imports are quite diverse and largely composed 
of manufactured goods, such as machinery, automobiles and chemi cals. Brazil remains open to 
working with Japan to diversify two -way trade flows.  
4.185.   One concrete measure could be the resumption of our exports of thermally processed beef 
to Japan, suspended since 2012 due to two atypical cases of BSE. The ban runs counter to a 
resolution of the World Organisation for Animal Health, which classifies Brazil's sanitary risk as 
"insignificant", the lowest in the risk scale. Japanese consumers certainly stand to gain from 
broader access to Brazilian beef, known for its high qual ity and sanitary safety worldwide. We look 
forward to an expeditious resolution to this matter.  
4.186.   In 2015 Brazil and Japan are celebrating 120 years since the establishment of bilateral 
diplomatic relations. On the occasion of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's vis it to Brazil last year, our 
relationship was further strengthened and upgraded to the level of Strategic Global Partnership.  
4.187.   It goes without saying that our ties transcend trade and diplomacy. Brazil hosts the largest 
community of Japanese descendants abro ad, with around 1.6 million people, while Japan is home 
to the third largest contingent of Brazilians living outside our borders.  
4.188.   Bilateral cooperation has been developed and continuously deepened, especially in 
investment, technical cooperation, including  in agriculture, education, health, energy, science and 
technology. The successful partnership in the Digital TV Project is viewed nowadays as a 
demonstration of the ability of our countries to join forces and deliver in the international arena, 
including on behalf of developing countries.  
4.189.   For those less familiar with Brazil -Japan relations, their intensity may appear 
counter -intuitive, given the geographic distance and differences in stereotypes between our two 
countries. The fact, however, is that our rel ations are close and strong, beginning with the deep WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  human bonds that unite our two peoples. We owe it to them – and to our international partners – 
to further and quickly develop our partnership upon such a solid basis.  
4.190.   Before concluding, we thank the wri tten replies to our questions that address issues such 
as subsidies, SPS, IP, TBT and investments. They were forwarded to our capital for examination 
and follow -up. 
HONG  KONG,  CHINA  
4.191.   Hong Kong, China (HKC) has a close economic relationship with Japan. Japan  has been one 
of our top three trading partners for decades. Last year, our total bilateral trade value exceeded 
US$54 billion, of which US$37 billion was imports from Japan. On the goods side, HKC has been 
the top destination for Japanese exports of foods tuff since 2004, while on the services side, we see 
steady growth in recent years, particularly in sectors such as transport services and travel 
services.  
4.192.   Japan is also one of our major sources of inward direct investment. The Japanese business 
community w e host is one of the largest in the Asia -Pacific region. They include 1 400 Japanese 
companies, of which 240 are regional headquarters and 465 are regional offices.  
4.193.   In the years ahead, we hope to foster even closer economic and trade cooperation 
between HK C and Japan, especially in expanding services trade and promoting bilateral 
investments.  
4.194.   Let me now turn to specific aspects of trade policies and measures. On tariff, we 
appreciate that Japan has bound 98.3% of its total tariff lines, and that the differe nce between the 
average bound MFN tariff (5.9%) and the average applied MFN tariff (5.8%) in 2014 was 
negligible, reflecting a high degree of predictability in Japan's tariff regime. However, simple 
average applied MFN tariffs were relatively high for foot wear and headgear (32.6%) and prepared 
foods (18.3%); and international tariff peaks still applied to 7.4% of all tariff lines. We would 
encourage Japan to make improvement in these aspects.  
4.195.   As regards trade policies in agriculture, we note that the level of support and protection 
given to Japan's agricultural sector remain high. The trade measures protecting the sector include 
tariffs, special safeguard and tariff quotas. On domestic support, the trend for Amber box support 
has been going upwards since 200 7. The Secretariat report notes that market price support is the 
main component of Japan's domestic support programmes and that this, along with other transfers 
based on output and input, is potentially one of the most production - and trade -distorting form s of 
support. While we appreciate that agriculture is a sensitive sector for Japan, we encourage Japan 
to review its measures, with a view to moving towards a more liberalized trade regime .  
4.196.   On trade facilitation (TF), we note that Japan has already implem ented the provisions of 
the TF Agreement with the current domestic laws and regulations. Indeed, following progressive 
improvements in its Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) scheme, the release time for AEO 
import cargoes has been reduced significantly. W e hope such good efforts would continue. We also 
look forward to working closely with Japan and other WTO Members to accelerate the entry into 
force of the TF Agreement, so as to realise the benefits as soon as possible.  
4.197.   HKC, together with Japan and some o ther WTO Members, are also actively engaged in 
plurilateral negotiations to expand the product coverage of the Information Technology 
Agreement, and to liberalise trade in environmental goods. Both HKC and Japan are staunch 
supporters of the multilateral t rading system. We hope to conclude these negotiations in a timely 
manner, to bring about a balanced and commercially significant outcome which can be shared 
multilaterally with all Members of the WTO.  
4.198.   Finally, I would like to commend the Japanese delegatio n in Geneva led by Ambassador 
Otabe for the active and constructive role they play in various aspects of WTO work. I would also 
like to thank Japan for adopting the alternative timeline for this review and for providing replies to 
our written questions in advance, so that we can have a more interactive discussion today. May I 
wish the Japanese delegation a very fruitful and successful Trade Policy Review.   WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  ECUADOR  
4.199.   El Ecuador participa con gran interés en este Examen de políticas comerciales. Por un lado, 
porque reconocemos el programa de reformas estructurales que se encuentra aplicando Japón 
tendiente a revitalizar su economía después de un decenio de desaceleración, programa que tiene 
como uno de sus ejes las reformas en materia de agricultura, energía y atención sanitaria y, por 
otro lado, por la adopción de una serie de medidas que tienen el objetivo de incrementar la 
productividad y la competitividad de ese país, así como la atracción de inversión extrajera  
4.200.   Por estas circunstancias, mi delegación destac a que dentro de la Estrategia de 
revitalización del Japón, las autoridades hayan fijado como objetivo primordial lograr la duplicación 
de la inversión extranjera directa para el año 2020, así como la aplicación desde el 2011 de 
medidas que apuntan a conver tirlo en un centro de actividad empresarial en Asia. Las perspectivas 
de apoyo contemplan subvenciones para el establecimiento, incentivos fiscales y tasas de patentes 
reducidas por la ubicación en sitios de investigación y desarrollo, que sin duda darán l os resultados 
esperados si se aplican con consistencia en el tiempo.  
4.201.   Un elemento que preocupa a mi país tiene relación con las políticas de ayuda interna y la 
protección al sector agrícola en el Japón, que a pesar de los cambios introducidos en los 
program as agrícolas, continúan siendo elevados si se los compara con otros países, convirtiéndoles 
en factores que podrían desestabilizar el comercio y la producción mundial.  
4.202.   El Ecuador observa con interés la protección sistémica que se concede a ciertos producto s 
culturales como el arroz, que se manifiesta por ejemplo, en los programas especiales para 
promover la limitación de la producción de arroz, los pagos destinados a la reconversión de los 
cultivos de arroz, el aporte del Gobierno a las primas del seguro ob ligatorio para el arroz, los 
pagos de sostenimiento de los ingresos agrícolas para el arroz, la dedicación exclusiva del 
compartimento azul al Programa de estabilización de los ingresos del arroz, la exclusión del arroz 
de los acuerdos comerciales regional es y de los sistemas generales de preferencias, y un arancel 
de 341 yenes por kilo, que deriva en una protección nominal de más del 800%.  
4.203.   En cuanto se refiere a materia sanitaria y fitosanitaria así como a obstáculos técnicos al 
comercio, se manifiesta en  el informe de la Secretaría la rigurosidad que aplica en cuanto a las 
normas de calidad y seguridad, y los costos altos que puede implicar su observancia. Este es un 
factor que el Ecuador mira con preocupación, ya que los estándares aplicados por Japón so n 
ciertamente más rigurosos que las normas internacionales vigentes.  
4.204.   Nuestro país se encuentra actualmente trabajando en los requerimientos establecidos para 
el ingreso de mango ecuatoriano a Japón. Se ha solicitado información a la autoridad Fitosanitaria  
de Japón, por parte de la Agencia Ecuatoriana de Aseguramiento de Calidad del Agro 
(AGROCALIDAD), en julio de 2014, para poder continuar con el proceso de acceso a ese mercado. 
El Ecuador confía en que recibirá prontamente una respuesta sobre este tema.  
4.205.   En el mes de noviembre pasado, el Ministro de Comercio Exterior del Ecuador visitó Japón, 
como una muestra de la voluntad al más alto nivel para fortalecer las relaciones bilaterales que en 
el 2018 cumplen 100 años. El objetivo a mediano plazo es suscribir  un acuerdo comercial que 
elimine los obstáculos al comercio como los aranceles y requisitos más exigentes y que, sobre 
todo, esté centrado en la complementariedad, respetando las sensibilidades de ambas partes.  
4.206.   Por otro lado, saludamos los cambios introd ucidos por el Gobierno japonés en su régimen 
de contratación pública, así como los avances en materia de servicios al haber incorporado nueva 
normativa en el sector de servicios financieros, como son las normas relativas a las operaciones de 
gran riesgo en  consonancia con las normas internacionales.  
4.207.   El Ecuador reconoce el papel de Japón dentro de las negociaciones de la OMC y confía en 
que redoblará esfuerzos para una exitosa conclusión del Programa de Desarrollo de Doha en el 
más breve plazo.  
4.208.   Hacemos votos  por que este examen de las políticas comerciales de Japón sirva para 
mejorar el conocimiento de su mercado y de esa forma el acceso, en especial para productos 
agrícolas provenientes de países en desarrollo; para que se revise los programas de estímulo y WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  ayudas internas, así como para reexaminar sus normas técnicas y medidas sanitarias y 
fitosanitarias.  
4.209.   Por último, el Ecuador desea dejar sentado su reconocimiento a los avances logrados en 
materia económico -comercial por Japón tomando en cuenta la recuperac ión realizada al haber 
hecho frente a graves fenómenos naturales como fueron el terremoto y el tsunami de 2011, así 
como la tragedia en la central nuclear de Fukushima, eventos que afectaron a la producción en 
todo el país, particularmente del sector expor tador. A pesar de estos obstáculos y de resultados 
económicos menos satisfactorios en los últimos años, Japón es uno de los países más ricos del 
mundo.   
4.210.   Para concluir, deseamos anticipar nuestro agradecimiento a la delegación de Japón por sus 
respuestas a  las preguntas que hemos planteado sobre algunos aspectos de su política comercial y 
que han sido enviadas a la Secretaría, lo que proveerá de insumos importantes para el 
fortalecimiento de las relaciones bilaterales en materia de comercio exterior.  
ARGENT INA 
4.211.   Nos complace que tras dos trimestres con crecimiento negativo en 2014, la economía 
japonesa esté mostrando signos de una leve recuperación.  
4.212.   También vemos con satisfacción, como se menciona en el informe del Gobierno de Japón, 
que este Miembro siga mant eniendo su compromiso con la liberalización del comercio en el marco 
del sistema multilateral de comercio basado en la OMC. Esperamos que ese compromiso se vea 
reflejado en las negociaciones en curso en materia agrícola, sector que, como ustedes saben, 
sigue estando muy rezagado respecto al industrial en materia de mayor apertura y eliminación de 
políticas distorsivas.  
4.213.   Al respecto, Argentina ha visto con agrado la reciente iniciativa expuesta por el Primer 
Ministro Shinzo Abe en la 189° Sesión de la Dieta el pasado 12 de febrero. Destacamos 
positivamente las palabras del Primer Ministro Abe de no temer al cambio frente a la tradición y 
que lo único eterno es el cambio. Esperamos que este impulso de reformas en Japón también 
pueda ser una contribución a la r eforma del sistema multilateral de comercio, el cual depende de 
una conclusión exitosa de la Ronda de Doha conforme a su mandato.  
4.214.   Las políticas proteccionistas de Japón en agricultura siempre han sido motivo de 
preocupación en nuestro país. El sector agríc ola japonés continúa estando fuertemente 
distorsionado y poco orientado al mercado, debido a una combinación extraordinaria, por lo poco 
frecuente, de: i) barreras arancelarias extremadamente elevadas, de las cuales un considerable 
porcentaje son derechos no ad valorem ; ii) contingentes arancelarios, con métodos de asignación 
complejos, como lo reconoce la Secretaría en su informe; iii) barreras para -arancelarias; 
iv) medidas de salvaguardia especial; v) restricciones a la producción; vi) apoyo doméstico en  la 
forma de sostenimiento de ingresos y particularmente de precios, siendo esto último, como bien 
dice la Secretaría en su informe, una de las formas de ayuda que "más pueden distorsionar la 
producción y el comercio"; y vii) importaciones efectuadas por e mpresas públicas.  
4.215.   Estas políticas proteccionistas exacerban el desequilibrio comercial bilateral e impiden 
aumentar las exportaciones agropecuarias argentinas con mayor valor agregado. Cabe agregar 
una mención a las medidas sanitarias y fitosanitarias y a  los extensos procedimientos que se 
deben seguir para la obtención de la apertura de ese mercado, los cuales se convierten en una 
verdadera restricción para la importación en ese país de productos de origen argentino, si se tiene 
en cuenta el tiempo que in sume cada negociación.  
4.216.   Con respecto a la cuestión arancelaria, y si bien el arancel promedio de Japón en 2014 fue 
del 5,8%, según surge del cuadro A3.1 del informe de la Secretaría, habiendo disminuido respecto 
al 6,3% de 2012 (aunque ello fuera por un aum ento en los precios de productos agrícolas), estas 
tarifas siguen siendo elevadas en promedio para los sectores de mayor interés de los países en 
desarrollo como la Argentina, con algunos picos arancelarios que hacen prohibitivos cualquier 
ingreso de esos productos a ese mercado.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.217.   A todo esto debemos añadir también el histórico y formidable apoyo doméstico que Japón 
otorga al sector de la pesca, independientemente de la actual ayuda de emergencia prevista para 
atender a las necesidades originadas a raíz del tsunami de marzo de 2011.  
4.218.   En tal sentido, vemos con preocupación el estancamiento actual de las negociaciones 
respecto a esta última cuestión. Esperamos un mayor nivel de compromiso por parte de Japón con 
la negociación de subvenciones a la pesca. La única  contribución que la OMC puede hacer al 
comercio y al medio ambiente es dar cumplimiento al mandato de la Ronda de Doha en lo 
referente a este tema, el cual ha sido reconfirmado en el párrafo 173 del documento final de la 
Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas  sobre el Desarrollo Sustentable de Río + 20.  
4.219.   Es así que encomendamos a Japón a que haga los esfuerzos necesarios para también 
cumplir con el mandato de Doha en subvenciones a la pesca, dándole la alta prioridad que merece. 
El proceso de reformas iniciado  por el Primer Ministro Abe asigna gran importancia al medio 
ambiente. Su iniciativa es una oportunidad que ni Japón ni el mandato sobre subvenciones a la 
pesca pueden desperdiciar.  
4.220.   Por su peso económico específico, Japón ocupa un lugar preponderante en el  comercio 
global y, en consecuencia, en las negociaciones que se llevan adelante en esta casa. Creemos que 
podría ejercer decididamente un rol de liderazgo en la Ronda Doha, para lo cual es necesario que 
demuestre mayor flexibilidad en sus políticas comerc iales, particularmente las agrícolas y 
pesqueras, que afectan en mayor medida a los Miembros en desarrollo de esta Organización.  
4.221.   Por último, agradecemos a Japón por las respuestas a las preguntas escritas que fueran 
formuladas oportunamente por Argentina. Las mismas están siendo analizadas por nuestras 
autoridades, quienes han remitido, la semana pasada, nuevas preguntas que esperamos sean 
también respondidas. Les deseamos éxito a Japón en este duodécimo examen de sus políticas 
comerciales.  
INDONESIA  
4.222.   At the  outset, Indonesia would like to associate itself with the statement made by the 
Philippines on behalf of ASEAN.  
4.223.   We are pleased to be here today for participating in the Trade Policy Review of one of the 
key players in the WTO. We appreciate Japan's contri bution in the WTO forum. We believe Japan 
has a strong commitment to give its best efforts to ensure a successful Post -Bali Work Programme 
and to conclude the DDA negotiations. We note with positivity that Japan has performed well with 
its generally open t rade policies.  
4.224.   At the end of last January, our Trade Minister had the opportunity to meet with Prime 
Minister Abe and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, H.E. Mr Yoichi Miyazawa. Aside 
from sending a good signal, the meeting also laid down the gro undwork for better relationship 
between our two countries, particularly in trade and investment, in the future. This is a 
continuation of or decades -long relationship, which culminated in 2007 with the establishment of 
the Indonesia -Japan Economic Partners hip Agreement, or IJEPA. The Agreement has helped bring 
closer cooperation between our two countries and we are now in the process of reviewing the 
Agreement to bring even greater benefits to both countries. Accordingly, we encourage Japan to 
determine a m eeting schedule for the discussion of the next General Review of IJEPA.  
4.225.   I want to emphasize that Japan is indeed a very important trading partner for Indonesia. 
Japan is the second largest export destination for Indonesia as well as the second largest inve stor 
in Indonesia.  
4.226.   Nevertheless, trade balance between both countries has been decreasing in the last two 
years. Trade balance between Indonesia and Japan in 2014 was around US$40.17 billion which 
was 13.37% lower compared to 2013. Indonesia's export to Ja pan in 2014 was around 
US$23.16  billion or 14.47% lower compared to 2013. Meanwhile, imports from Japan have 
decreased from around US$19.28 billion in 2013 to US$17 billion in 2014. Overall Indonesia's 
trade balance with Japan has seen a surplus of US$6.15  billion in 2014, albeit a 21% decrease 
compared to 2013 (US$7.8 billion).  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.227.   Although our trade balance has decreased, I remain confident that our countries' economic 
partnership will grow again in the future.  
4.228.   Having said that, Indonesia would like to note s ome of Japan's trade policies that 
undermine the legitimate interest of our exports to Japan. Our Government is confident that 
Japan, as one of the most developed Members of the WTO, will ensure that its trade -related 
policies are in line with the WTO rule s. We also believe that Japan should be a role model to all 
WTO Members by avoiding the implementation of any measures more strictly than necessary, both 
in tariff and non -tariff forms, particularly for agricultural and fishery products. For example, SPS 
and TBT requirements that are more strict than international standards and very costly to fulfil by 
our exporters.  
4.229.   We have submitted a number of specific questions to clarify individual points on these and 
other issues. We thank the delegation of Japan for answering our questions. We will study those 
responses with great interest and we will seek further clarification when and as necessary.  
RUSSIAN  FEDERATION  
4.230.   The Russian delegation welcomes the 12th Trade Policy Review of Japan. We fully support 
this importa nt mechanism which enables us to exchange views on the trade policy of the WTO 
Members.  
4.231.   Japan is Russia's seventh largest trading partner. The Russian Federation and Japan have 
a long history of friendly relations and have developed broad, deep and robust  bilateral 
cooperation spanning vast economic, trade and investment areas.  
4.232.   Today we would like to highlight some of Japan's trade and investment measures that, we 
believe, need more attention. Russia has submitted a number of questions for this review 
regarding TBT measures of Japan related to wood industry regulation (the Wood Use Points 
Program (WUPP)), as well as agricultural policy and SPS measures which are of particular interest 
to us.  
4.233.   We appreciate the fact that the answers have been provided by Jap an in advance of this 
meeting. However, some of them lack sufficient justification and need further explanations. 
Therefore, we would like to flag our intention to continue the dialogue with the Japanese 
delegation on the issues mentioned above.  
4.234.   Let me als o express our deep concern with a number of trade restrictive measures 
imposed by Japan in respect of the Russian Federation. We believe that these measures are not 
compatible with WTO rules and we urge Japan to remove them.  
4.235.   One more comment for the Japane se TPR deals with the negotiations to advance and 
conclude the Trans -Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. We regret to note the lack of 
transparency in these negotiations. We would welcome more information to be made publicly 
available on this regional ini tiative in order to assess the compatibility of this preferential trade 
agreement with the rules of the WTO and the multilateral trading system as a whole.  
4.236.   In conclusion, we would like to thank the delegation of Japan, the Secretariat and of 
course our es teemed Discussant, for their hard work done so far. We wish our Japanese partners a 
successful Trade Policy Review.  
OMAN  
4.237.   Oman has close economic and trade relations with Japan which we value greatly.  
4.238.   Japan is one of the major economies of the world and is among the four or five top traders 
globally in both goods and services. Its economic and trade policies have a bearing on the world 
economy and on international trade.  
4.239.   The economy of Japan, like the economies of many developed countries, has been facing 
problems and difficulties of slow growth and deflationary pressures. However, Japan is in the WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  process of implementing an ambitious reform programme to overcome deflation and revitalize its 
economy. This reform programme embraces monetary and fiscal measures as well as reduction of 
budget deficits.  
4.240.   These are appropriate measures and Oman wishes Japan success in its endeavours to put 
its economy on a healthy growth track.  
4.241.   We are pleased to note that Japan follows an open, liberal and transparent trade regime. 
Its overall average tariff is quite low, though it must be noted that the average tariff for 
agricultural products is rather high as compared with average tariff for non -agricultural products. 
Another notable feature of Japan's tariff is the negligible diff erence between average bound MFN 
tariff and the average applied MFN tariff, which provides for predictability in conditions of market 
access.  
4.242.   The delegation of Oman commends Japan for almost no use of trade remedies such as 
countervailing and safeguard mea sures, and only one anti -dumping measure.  
4.243.   While appreciating Japan's open and transparent trade regime and given that Japan used 
to be a champion of MFN treatment. We are surprised to note that it now aims to increase its trade 
under RTAs from around 19% i n 2013 to 70% by 2018.  
4.244.   Oman has previously submitted in writing a question regarding the percentage of Japan's 
tariff lines that have been bound out of the total tariff lines. And we are thankful to Japan for 
providing a response.  
4.245.   We are happy to note tha t maintaining and strengthening the multilateral trading system 
under the WTO is a main pillar of Japan's external economic policy. Japan's commitment to 
support the system is laudable. We hope Japan would lend its support to the early completion of 
the DD A negotiations to fulfil the objectives of the Doha Ministerial Declaration.  
4.246.   Finally, the delegation of Oman wishes the delegation of Japan a very successful Trade 
Policy Review.  
THAILAND  
4.247.   Thailand is pleased to participate in the twelfth Trade Policy Revie w of Japan today and 
would like to associate ourselves with ASEAN's statement previously delivered by 
Ambassador  Conejos of the Philippines.   
4.248.   Japan has been Thailand's major trading partner for the past decades and currently is the 
second largest. In 2014 , our bilateral trade value stood at US$57.5 billion, accounting for 12.7% of 
Thailand's total global trade. Japan ranked as our third export destination and second import 
source. On the other hand, Thailand is Japan's seventh trading partner, sixth export  destination, 
and thirteenth import source. We note that since 2012 our bilateral trade has been decreasing, but 
we do hope that our fundamentally strong relationship will help enhance these statistical numbers.  
4.249.   Despite the slump shown in the figures, the qualitative side of the trade and commercial 
relationship between Japan and Thailand has been solid and meaningful. We appreciate our trade 
through Japan -Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement or JTEPA, effective since 
November  2007, and ASEAN -Japan Compr ehensive Economic Partnership, since June 2009. The 
private sectors of the two countries are also actively engaged in the cooperation under 
Japan -Thailand Trade and Economic Committee, which was last met in May 2012. In February this 
year, our Prime Minist er paid an official visit to Tokyo and had "fruitful discussions" with Prime 
Minister Abe, including the future development of the east -west rail link, which would traverse 
Thailand from the Cambodian border on the east to the Burmese border on the west.   
4.250.   In terms of investment, Japan is our significant foreign investor, and Thailand has been the 
biggest manufacturing hub for Japanese companies in Southeast Asia. Although in 2014 the 
statistics for investment showed the similar trend as that of trade in go ods, we expect that this 
slack will pick up the speed this year.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.251.   In the multilateral trading system, especially in this Organization, Thailand is grateful for 
Japan's leadership in many forums, including towards the success of the Trade Facilitation 
Agreem ent. We also appreciate Japan's constructive roles in other forums, such as the ITA 
expansion, of which we hope to see a similar accomplishment in the near future. Japan's 
commitments in the WTO are valuable to all Members, and, with Japan's continuous pos itive role 
as one of the key Members, Thailand looks forward to intensive and constructive negotiating work 
in the WTO to achieve a meaningful work programme by July and the successful tenth Ministerial 
Conference this year.  
4.252.   The TPR reports indicate that J apan's economy has been sluggish due to some severe 
shocks to the economy over the past few years. However, Japan still maintains its exemplary role 
in the global trade by remaining an open economy, having only negligible difference between the 
average bou nd and applied MFN tariffs, and applying only few trade remedies. Its current 
ambitious reform programmes in order to overcome economic stumbling blocks have been 
recognized by all Members, including Thailand. We support this tireless and constructive effo rt as 
Japan's healthy economy would positively contribute to the same for the international trading 
community.  
4.253.   In this review, Thailand submitted several questions to Japan, covering the policies and 
measures of our interests regarding standards and labell ing of agricultural and forestry products, 
intellectual properties, tariff peaks and low fill rates of some TRQ products, and incentives to 
attract foreign investment under the National Strategic Special Zones. We thank Japan for its 
responses provided to us last week, which we are carefully studying with great interest.  
4.254.   In conclusion, Thailand would like to express its appreciation to the Japanese delegation 
from Tokyo for today's presentation and responses to our questions. We are thankful for the close 
cooperation with Japan in every level, including that between our Geneva -based delegations. We 
wish Japan every success in this twelfth trade policy review.  
COLOMBIA  
4.255.   El período que abarca este examen de política comercial ha resultado particularmente 
intere sante para la evolución económica de Japón, teniendo en cuenta que, a las dificultades 
estructurales de larga data en materia de crecimiento económico, una deuda pública elevada y un 
periodo extenso de deflación, se sumó que el país debió afrontar las secu elas del terremoto y el 
tsunami de 2011, que afectaron el consumo privado y las cadenas de suministro – esto con efectos 
directos en sectores exportadores.  
4.256.   Como fue descrito, el Gobierno viene afrontando estos desafíos centrando su estratégica 
económica ( la denominada "Abenomics"), en tres frentes: expansión monetaria, política fiscal 
flexible y varias reformas estructurales. La Estrategia para la revitalización del Japón ha venido a 
apuntalar acciones adicionales para desarrollar estos campos.  
4.257.   En el prime ro de ellos, encontramos que la estrategia ya empieza a mostrar resultados y la 
economía está saliendo de la deflación. La tasa de inflación prevista por el FMI para 2015 es del 
2%, cifra que con los resultados de los últimos meses, parece alcanzable. En e l segundo, si bien el 
aumento del impuesto al consumo en 2014 tuvo un impacto negativo sobre la demanda, la caída 
en paralelo de los precios del petróleo ha ayudado a moderar sus efectos.  
4.258.   A su vez, se viene reduciendo progresivamente la tasa de desempleo, que para 2013 se 
situaba en 4% y ha seguido reduciéndose. A pesar de lo anterior, la estrategia aún no alcanza el 
objetivo de apuntalar una tasa de crecimiento sólida, lo que parece el principal reto a alcanzar 
para los próximos años.   
4.259.   En cuanto al tercer  frente, contiene varios de los elementos más interesantes que cubre 
este examen de política comercial. Me referiré en particular a tres de ellos: el aumento en la 
atracción de inversión extranjera; las acciones para alcanzar una mayor integración económic a vía 
la ampliación de su red de acuerdos comerciales; y las reformas al sector agrícola.  
4.260.   Uno de los pilares de la Estrategia de revitalización del Japón es incrementar las entradas 
anuales de los flujos de inversión extranjera en el país, con miras a dupl icar sus montos para el WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  2020, pues comparativamente frente a otras economías desarrolladas, se encontraban muy por 
debajo. Este es un elemento importante para alcanzar el objetivo de conseguir un crecimiento 
sólido, basado en el aumento de la inversión pri vada y mejoras en la productividad y 
competitividad de las empresas.  
4.261.   Para ello, se prevé llevar a cabo reformas estructurales en las esferas de la agricultura, la 
energía y la atención sanitaria. El informe del Gobierno señala que durante el año pasado se  
avanzó en la elaboración de un informe sobre los problemas existentes para promover la inversión, 
así como de la creación del Consejo de promoción de la inversión extranjera directa, como 
organismo de coordinación inter -agencias en materia de inversiones y responsable a su vez por 
liderar las reformas institucionales que sean requeridas. También tomamos nota del objetivo de 
aumentar la tasa de creación de empresas, del 5% actual a más del 10%, para que supere a la 
tasa de cierre de empresas.  
4.262.   Sobre el segu ndo, es particularmente interesante que la estrategia plantee un esfuerzo por  
avanzar en procesos orientados a la apertura de mercados, con mayores flujos de comercio y de 
inversión, como una herramienta para apoyar su crecimiento económico y la generació n de 
empleos.   
4.263.   En efecto, el eje relacionado con reformas estructurales contempla también un esfuerzo 
sustancial de Japón para aumentar su integración económica en el mundo a través de la 
ampliación y profundización de sus acuerdos comerciales. Como desta ca el informe presentado por 
el Gobierno y fue mencionado el día de hoy, en el marco de la Estrategia de revitalización del 
Japón se contempla el objetivo de ampliar el alcance de la cobertura de su intercambio comercial 
bajo acuerdos de libre comercio al 70% para 2018, frente al actual 19%.   
4.264.   Como puede apreciarse, aunque Japón es en general una economía abierta – a pesar de 
las dificultades recientes y mereciendo el sector agrícola una mención aparte, su intercambio 
comercial en el marco de acuerdos comer ciales es relativamente bajo. A esto hay que sumarle que 
en años recientes se aprecia una clara disminución en el superávit de cuenta corriente de Japón, 
debido a un aumento sustancial de sus importaciones, que registraron un record en el 2013. Por el 
contrario, las exportaciones no han crecido al mismo ritmo, lo que marca aún más la importancia 
de conseguir mejores condiciones para su comercio internacional.  
4.265.   El informe de la Secretaría nos ofrece una ilustración abundante en torno a los avances 
hacia este  objetivo, pues durante el período de examen Japón ha adelantado una intensa agenda 
de negociaciones comerciales, incluyendo con Colombia.   
4.266.   Sin embargo, esto no deja de lado sus esfuerzos en el marco multilateral dentro de la 
OMC. Por el contrario, para J apón resultan complementarios. Este país ha dado señales claras de 
apoyar la construcción del plan de trabajo post –Bali, que esperamos nos acerque a culminar la 
Ronda Doha.  
4.267.   También ha jugado un papel muy destacado en la negociación del recientemente aprob ado 
Acuerdo sobre la facilitación del comercio y la elaboración en general del "paquete de Bali".   
4.268.   A su vez, es bien conocida su participación en negociaciones plurilaterales bajo esta casa, 
incluida la ampliación del Acuerdo sobre tecnologías de la infor mación (ITA) o las negociaciones 
sobre bienes ambientales (EGA), que al ser negociaciones sobre base NMF traerán beneficios para 
todos los Miembros. Finalmente, cabe recordar que Japón ha puesto en vigor el Acuerdo sobre 
contratación pública revisado desde  el año pasado.  
4.269.   Dentro del componente de reformas estructurales apreciamos que durante el período de 
examen se produjeron ajustes importantes en la política agrícola. Hemos tomado nota con 
atención sobre el Plan para la dinamización de la agricultura, la silvicultura, la pesca y las 
comunidades locales y sus cuatro pilares, que apuntan a fortalecer el sector productivo mediante 
la reducción de los costos de producción, el establecimiento de un nuevo sistema de pagos 
directos para revitalizar las comunidade s rurales, el establecimiento de cadenas de valor en el 
sector alimentario, y el aumento de la demanda de productos alimenticios. Sobre estos cambios en 
sus programas agrícolas hemos formulado algunas preguntas y revisaremos con atención las 
respuestas sum inistradas, que agradecemos.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.270.   En materia de facilitación del comercio, resaltamos especialmente la mejora progresiva del 
Programa de operadores económicos autorizados del Japón, que ya empieza a arrojar resultados 
importantes. Dado el destacado papel que tu vo Japón durante la negociación del Acuerdo sobre la 
facilitación del comercio, estamos seguros que seguirá apoyando de igual modo los esfuerzos que 
la membresía adelante para su pronta entrada en vigor y su correcta implementación.  
4.271.   Finalmente, al preparar  esta intervención encontré un refrán japonés, que me pareció 
apropiado para estos momentos, en los que en medio de las negociaciones quisiéramos alcanzar 
resultados lo antes posible y nos preocupa que el tiempo corre muy rápido. Dice (y perdonen la 
pronun ciación): "Keizoku wa chikara nari". En español lo podríamos traducir como "con paciencia 
todo llega".  
4.272.   Si bien este no es el punto de agenda, no puedo dejar pasar esta ocasión para 
agradecerle, Señora Presidenta, su impecable conducción del TPRB durante es te último año. Con 
esto, termino mi intervención. Colombia le desea a Japón un provechoso examen de política 
comercial, del que esperamos puedan rescatar recomendaciones y sugerencias que puedan ser 
aprovechadas.  
PERÚ  
4.273.   A modo de introducción a mi intervenci ón, permítanme señalar que en el 2015 las 
relaciones diplomáticas formalmente establecidas entre mi país y el Japón cumplen 142 años de 
sólida y fructífera actividad que ha tenido su más reciente expresión en el encuentro que 
sostuvieron el Señor President e de la República del Perú y el Primer Ministro del Japón, en 
noviembre de 2014, en el marco de la Cumbre de Líderes de APEC realizada en Beijing.  
4.274.   Sin duda, uno de los fundamentos de las relaciones peruano -japonés es el aspecto 
económico -comercial, por lo que quisiera destacar que el Japón representa el quinto destino de 
nuestras exportaciones y es el segundo socio comercial más importante del Perú en Asia. En 
términos geográficos, nuestra vinculación está dada por la pertenencia común a la Cuenca del 
Pacífico, espacio en torno al cual no solo compartimos un intenso comercio, sino también un 
creciente relacionamiento en foros como APEC, que involucran a economías de ambos lados del 
Pacífico, en la construcción del mayor espacio económico del planeta.  
4.275.   El Perú  y Japón hemos suscrito importantes acuerdos en el área comercial y de 
inversiones, como el Acuerdo para la promoción, protección y liberalización de la inversión, vigente 
desde diciembre de 2009. A ello se agrega la suscripción del Acuerdo de asociación e conómica, en 
vigor desde marzo de 2012. Este acuerdo constituyo un punto de inflexión en nuestras relacionas 
económico -comerciales con el Japón ya que otorga un marco jurídico estable y predecible para 
aprovechar e incrementar de manera considerable las op ortunidades en el intercambio comercial y 
las inversiones.  
4.276.   En los últimos diez años, el intercambio bilateral se ha más que duplicado con una cifra 
que en el 2013 superó los 3 mil quinientos millones de dólares EE.UU. Si bien el grueso de 
nuestras exportac iones al Japón son productos tradicionales: ha habido un incremento de las 
exportaciones no tradicionales, particularmente de la agroindustria que podrían incrementarse con 
la terminación de los protocolos sanitarios que las autoridades de ambos países ven imos 
trabajando.  
4.277.   Tal como señala el informe de la Secretaría, a pesar de un periodo de resultados 
económicos poco satisfactorios y que la economía japonesa ha pasado por complicaciones 
importantes, es destacable que el Japón siga manteniendo una economía a bierta y transparente y 
que hayan introducido cambios en el sector agrícola, no obstante que se mantienen las ayudas que 
pueden distorsionar la producción y el comercio.  
4.278.   En ese contexto, también nos permitimos destacar los esfuerzos del Gobierno del Japón  
para aplicar un ambicioso programa de reformas que gira en torno a tres ejes: expansión 
monetaria, estímulos fiscales y reformas estructurales en diversos ámbitos.  
4.279.   El Perú saluda los esfuerzos del Japón para llevar a cabo negociaciones con países de 
diversas regiones del mundo con el objetivo de aumentar el comercio en el marco de acuerdos WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  comerciales regionales, incrementándolo hasta un 70% en el 2018. Asimismo, nos permitimos 
destacar la activa participación del Japón en los trabajos de la OMC y saludar las reformas internas 
orientadas a aumentar la competitividad de su economía, esperando que sus alcances estén en 
armonía con el marco jurídico del sistema multilateral de comercio.  
4.280.   El Perú considera que este ejercicio de Examen de la política comercial de l Japón es un 
importante marco de trabajo que nos brinda una oportunidad de la que podemos obtener valiosa 
información para beneficio de todos, por lo que le deseamos el mayor de los éxitos al Japón en los 
resultados de este examen.  
4.281.   En ese marco, el Perú ha transmitido algunas consultas sobre variados aspectos de la 
policía comercial del Japón, de particular interés para mi país, y quisiera aprovechar la oportunidad 
para expresar el agradecimiento por las respuestas que las autoridades del Japón nos han 
adelantado, las que serán transmitidas a nuestras autoridades nacionales para su evaluación y 
seguimiento.  
INDIA  
4.282.   With the nominal GDP estimated at about US$5 trillion and the merchandise trade of over 
US$1.55 trillion, Japan remains one of the key drivers of  the global economy. Overcoming the 
sluggish economic performance of more than a decade, since end 2012, the Japanese economy 
has shown signs of modest recovery. In order to end the prevalent deflation and to revitalize its 
economy, the Japanese Government  embarked on an ambitious reform programme, centered 
around the "three arrows" strategy: bold monetary policy, flexible fiscal policy and growth strategy 
that promotes private investments. As noted in the Secretariat report, while the expansionary 
monetary  and fiscal policy measures adopted since the last review have been helpful, these have 
not been sufficient to register strong economic growth. The Japanese government continue to 
confront challenges such as very high public debt (gross debt to GDP ratio e xceeds 200%), rapidly 
aging population among others. Looking ahead, we note that Japan's real GDP is estimated to 
grow by 0.8 % in 2015. We wish the Japanese Government every success as it addresses 
long-standing structural challenges confronting its econo my through a series of reform measures. 
A strong Japanese economy is crucial not only for the Asian region but also the global economy.  
4.283.   India and Japan are Asia's two largest and oldest democracies. Today, we collaborate 
across diverse sectors within the framework of our special global and strategic partnership. Trade 
and investments constitute a central pillar of our rapidly expanding partnership. Our bilateral trade 
has been expanding steadily, with trade volume of about US$16.5 billion in 2013 -14. The 
conclusion of the India -Japan Comprehensive Partnership Agreement in 2011 has given a new fillip 
to bilateral trade and economic partnership. We are also engaged within the framework of RCEP. 
While Japan has maintained trade deficit in its global merchandis e trade, it enjoys a trade surplus 
with India. We hope to expand bilateral trade in a balanced manner, harnessing existing 
complementarities. On the investment front, the Japanese FDIs into India have been growing in 
recent years, and more than 1000 Japane se firms are present in the Indian market. The flagship 
bilateral infrastructure projects such as Delhi -Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Dedicated Freight 
Corridor hold immense promise to usher into a new era of collaborative industrial, technological 
and infra structure development projects for mutual benefit.  
4.284.   In terms of its trade policy, while Japan broadly remains an open economy, as brought out 
in the Secretariat report and noted by several delegations, it provides significant support and 
protection to the agriculture sector through a comprehensive set of policies such as high tariff, 
non-ad valorem  duties, complex TRQ administration, and the trade distorting domestic support. Its 
regulatory regime, technical regulations and SPS measures, which in many cases  are more 
stringent than international standards, result in excessive cost burden to exporters.   
4.285.   We thank the Japanese delegation for replies to some of the questions we had posed to 
them. These would be reviewed by my authorities. However, let me underli ne some specific 
concerns, which particularly affect India's exports to Japan. In the pharmaceutical sector, Indian 
companies are unable to access the Japanese market due to stringent and time consuming 
regulatory requirements, including requirement for an  Indian company to have joint venture with a 
Japanese company and the need for commercial presence for applying to Pharmaceuticals and 
Medical Devices Agency. The stringent maximum residue levels for chemical products, including WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  agro-chemicals, additives f or food products act as market entry barriers for our exporters. In the 
IT services market in Japan, the Keiretsu model makes it difficult for Indian IT firms to directly 
approach customers in Japan. As a result, they often end up as tertiary service provi ders despite 
their competitive strengths in this sector. We request Japan to review these requirements to make 
them simpler, and reduce regulatory barriers to trade, consistent with international norms and 
standards.    
4.286.   Before I conclude, I would like to u nderscore the positive role played by Japan in the WTO 
and in the ongoing DDA negotiations. We look forward to working with Ambassador Yoichi Otabe 
and his team as well as other partners in ensuring balanced outcomes in the ongoing negotiations 
to help con clude the Doha Round. With these words, my delegation would like to wish Japan a 
successful Trade Policy Review.  
REPÚBLICA  DOMINICANA  
4.287.   Deseamos en primer lugar, saludar al Gobierno de Japón por los esfuerzos que se están 
haciendo para relanzar la economía. En efecto, el informe de la Secretaría indica que desde su 
último Examen de política comercial, el Japón ha venido aplicando un ambicioso programa de 
reformas para superar la deflación y revitalizar su economía, después de más de un decenio de 
desaceleraci ón. El programa consiste en tres elementos principales: expansión monetaria (un 
objetivo del 2% de inflación a alcanzar a la mayor brevedad posible, principalmente mediante la 
expansión de la base monetaria); introducción de estímulos fiscales (alrededor d e 100.000 
millones de dólares EE.UU. en enero de 2013 y otros 53.000 millones de dólares EE.UU. en 
diciembre de 2013 en un intento por impulsar el crecimiento); y la aplicación de reformas 
estructurales en esferas como la agricultura, la energía y la atenc ión sanitaria que tardarán más 
tiempo en llevarse a cabo, entre otras cosas porque requieren cambios legislativos y 
administrativos cuya preparación lleva tiempo.  
4.288.   Las medidas expansivas de política monetaria y fiscal adoptadas desde el último examen 
han r eforzado la economía japonesa pero no han sido suficientes para lograr un crecimiento 
económico vigoroso. De hecho, se estima que en 2014 la tasa de crecimiento real del PIB del 
Japón será del 0,9% (frente al 1,5% en 2012 y en 2013). Las autoridades recono cen que hay que 
acometer reformas estructurales profundas para hacer frente a los problemas estructurales que se 
arrastran desde hace largo tiempo y para lograr un crecimiento sostenible en el futuro. 
Coincidimos con el informe de la Secretaría de que aunq ue se ha avanzado un tanto en este 
sentido, es necesario dar otros pasos, como aplicar nuevas medidas de liberalización del comercio 
y la inversión a fin de estimular la inversión privada y aumentar la productividad y la 
competitividad. Todo esto es crucia l para lograr hacer frente al importante déficit comercial que 
presenta la economía japonesa.  
4.289.   En cuanto a su política comercial, el Japón no ha aplicado grandes cambios desde su 
último examen hace dos años.  
4.290.   Notamos que en el informe se indica que los ara nceles siguen siendo la principal restricción 
que aplica el Japón en la frontera. El Japón ha consolidado el 98,3% de sus líneas arancelarias 
(quedan por consolidar 159 líneas). En el 2014, la diferencia entre el promedio de los aranceles 
NMF consolidados (el 5,9%) y el promedio de los aranceles NMF aplicados (el 5,8%) fue 
insignificante, lo que refleja un alto grado de previsibilidad del Arancel. No obstante, el tipo 
consolidado medio que grava los productos agrícolas (el 15,2%) sigue siendo mucho más elev ado 
que el que se aplica a los productos no agrícolas (el 3,7%).  
4.291.   Vemos con satisfacción que el Japón aplica pocas medidas comerciales especiales. Sin 
embargo, notamos que el informe de la Secretaría indica que las normas sanitarias y fitosanitarias 
y los obstáculos técnicos al comercio son en muchos casos más estrictos que las normas 
internacionales, y el costo que supone el cumplimiento de sus normas de calidad y seguridad 
puede ser elevado. Exhortamos al Gobierno de Japón a revisar estas normas a fin de facilitar el 
acceso al mercado japonés en particular de los países en vía de desarrollo.  
4.292.   Vemos con preocupación que el sector agrícola sigue recibiendo un apoyo considerable del 
Estado, que incluye, entre otras cosas, la aplicación de un tipo NMF medio re lativamente elevado 
en comparación con los aplicados en otros sectores, contingentes arancelarios, ayuda a los WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  ingresos y medidas de control de la producción. El informe de la Secretaría indica que el 
componente principal de estas ayudas son los programas de sostenimiento de los precios que, 
junto con otras transferencias basadas en la producción y los insumos, constituyen una de las 
formas de ayuda que más pueden distorsionar la producción y el comercio. En este sentido, 
sugerimos al Gobierno de Japón a re alizar las reformas necesarias a fin de liberalizar más el sector 
agrícola.   
4.293.   La República Dominicana ha presentado algunas preguntas a Japón en relación al sector de 
los servicios y de las empresas de comerciales del Estado. Para terminar, solo nos queda felicitar al 
Japón y exhortarle para que siga realizando las reformas estructurales necesarias para mejorar el 
funcionamiento de su economía, y les deseamos muchos éxitos en este su Examen de política 
comercial y en el futuro.   
MALAYSIA  
4.294.   Malaysia is please d to take part in this 12th Trade Policy Review of Japan and associates 
itself with the statement made by the Philippines on behalf of ASEAN.  
4.295.   We would like to commend Japan for actively promoting trade liberalization towards 
strengthening the multilateral trading system. On the other hand, while we recognize the 
leadership role assumed by Japan, we believe that Japan is in a position to contribute more. This is 
so as we work towards producing a post Bali work programme. We are confident that Japan, with 
other key Members, will be able to strongly contribute towards a meaningful outcome of the Doha 
negotiations that will consequently bring a positive impact to international trade.  
4.296.   While welcoming the trade initiatives and further liberalization undertaken by the Japan 
over the review period, Malaysia is also concerned over a number of measures that could be 
regarded as barriers to trade. In particular, we remain concern on structural adjustment in 
agriculture sector including Japanese wood programme as well as  imposition of various 
requirements for standards and technical regulations through Japan Industrial Standards and 
Japan Agricultural Standards. Thus, we encourage Japan to review these measures with a view to 
simplify the procedures and not to be burdenso me to our traders.  
4.297.   On the bilateral front, we are pleased that the bilateral economic relations between 
Malaysia and Japan remain strong and vibrant. In 2014, Japan was Malaysia's 3rd largest trading 
partner and our bilateral trade increased by 1.4% from t he year before, amounting to 
US$42  billion. In terms of investment, Japan continues to be Malaysia's top source of foreign direct 
investments (FDI) since 1980. From January to September 2014, a total of 47 manufacturing 
projects were approved with total in vestments amounting to US$3.26 billion.  
4.298.   Since 2006, the Malaysia -Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (MJEPA) has enhanced 
bilateral economic relations between Japan and Malaysia in creating opportunities for bilateral 
collaboration in various areas. We l ook forward to increased economic cooperation projects with 
Japan under MJEPA. Both countries are also negotiating the Trans -Pacific Partnership Agreement 
(TPP) as well as Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) that will further intensify 
Malay sia and Japan bilateral and regional partnership.  
4.299.   Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the delegation of the Japan for 
responding to our questions and these are being examined at the Capital. In addition, we will also 
be submitting addi tional questions and we look forward to receiving feedback.  
EL SALVADOR  
4.300.   El informe de la Secretaría nos permite constatar la apertura general del régimen 
comercial de Japón, siendo el cuarto mayor exportador e importador de mercancías del mundo y el 
quinto  y cuarto lugar entre los exportadores e importadores mundiales respectivamente en cuanto 
al comercio de servicios, siendo sus actividades principales el sector de manufacturas, 
específicamente la maquinaria y el equipo de transporte, impulsados gracias a su fuerte industria 
automotriz.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.301.   Asimismo, observamos que han adoptado una serie de iniciativas para atraer inversión 
extranjera directa y duplicar su importe en relación al actual, a través de incentivos fiscales. De 
igual forma, Japón es el segundo mayor  inversor del mundo, centradas en el sector de finanzas y 
seguros, comunicaciones, minería y comercio mayorista y minorista.  
4.302.   El Salvador y Japón mantienen fuertes lazos de amistad y cooperación, celebrando el año 
pasado los 80 años del establecimiento de relaciones diplomáticas. El Salvador fue uno de los 
primeros países latinoamericanos en abrir su mercado a productos japoneses, con la importación 
de vehículos.  
4.303.   Por su parte, Japón ha apoyado a El Salvador en diversos proyectos de desarrollo social y 
económico, contribuyendo de esta forma al crecimiento económico del país.  
4.304.   La inversión realizada de Japón en El Salvador al 2014m asciende a 38 millones de dólares 
EE.UU., especializándose en el nicho de la electrónica, tales como componentes electrónicos, 
electrodomésticos y ensamblaje de periféricos, cables y arneses para computadoras, y aparatos 
médicos.  
4.305.   En relación al comercio, las exportaciones de El Salvador al Japón fueron de 37 millones de 
dólares EE.UU. en 2013, creciendo en un 13% con respecto al añ o anterior, mientras que las 
importaciones para ese mismo año fueron de 177 millones de dólares EE.UU., registrando un 
crecimiento del 3% con respecto al 2012.  
4.306.   Cabe resaltar que dicho intercambio comercial es bastante complementario, ya que 
nuestras expor taciones se concentran en café, productos de la confección y calzado, mientras que 
las importaciones son principalmente de productos de hierro y acero, vehículos y neumáticos.  
4.307.   En las negociaciones multilaterales que se celebran en esta casa, hemos contado  con el 
apoyo de Japón en las diferentes iniciativas que como Economía Pequeña y Vulnerable hemos 
impulsado, por lo que aprovechamos esta oportunidad para agradecer su continuo apoyo.  
4.308.   Por lo anterior, solo nos resta felicitar a Japón, y desearle el mayor d e los éxitos en este 
ejercicio.  
BÉNIN  
4.309.   Le douzième Examen des politiques commerciales du Japon nous offre l'occasion 
d'apprécier à leur juste valeur les actions menées pour promouvoir une économie vigoureuse, ainsi 
qu'un environnement commercial attractif.  
4.310.   En effet, depuis le précédent Examen de la politique commerciale du Japon en 2013, le 
Gouvernement japonais a mis en œuvre des politiques économiques qui contribuent à assurer la 
reprise économique et à passer le cap de la déflation, l'économie avançant à pas assurés.  
4.311.   Pour consolider les résultats obtenus et tracer de nouvelles voies, le Gouvernement 
japonais a initié des réformes hardies, menées dans des domaines aussi variés que ceux de 
l'agriculture, de la propriété intellectuelle, des banques et des val eurs mobilières, des assurances, 
avec la prise en compte conséquente de l'approche genre qui vise à promouvoir la participation 
active des femmes dans la vie socioéconomique.  
4.312.   Ainsi, dans le domaine agricole, les mesures idoines sont prises visant à faire p asser les 
exportations annuelles de produits agricoles, sylvicoles et halieutiques et des produits alimentaires 
japonais à 1 000 milliards de yen d'ici à 2020, puis à 5 000 milliards de yen avant 2030.  
4.313.   En outre, le lancement de l'Initiative pour des secteu rs agricole, sylvicole et piscicole 
combatifs, vise à rendre ces trois secteurs compétitifs, tout en veillant à la préservation des 
ressources naturelles, d'une manière générale, et celle des terres en ce qui concerne le secteur 
agricole, en particulier.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.314.   Dans le domaine de la propriété intellectuelle, les efforts déployés convergent notamment 
vers l'instauration d'un système de propriété intellectuelle, attractif et innovateur qui contribue, 
entre autres, à améliorer utilement la compétitivité industrielle.  
4.315.   Dans le domaine financier, un régime de suivi a été mis en place avec, entre autres outils 
et mécanismes, des mesures susceptibles d'améliorer le pouvoir d'attraction général des marchés 
financiers et des capitaux.  
4.316.   Il importe également de souligner la pro mulgation de la loi portant modification de la Loi 
sur le commerce des services d'assurance qui prévoit des mesures visant à garantir la fiabilité de 
l'assurance et à développer le marché de l'assurance.  
4.317.   Le Japon reste engagé en faveur du système commercia l multilatéral et participe 
activement aux négociations sur les différents sujets relevant du Programme de Doha pour le 
développement.  
4.318.   Au titre de la coopération bilatérale, la délégation du Bénin voudrait saluer 
particulièrement la tenue en juin 2013 à Yo kohama de la cinquième Conférence internationale de 
Tokyo sur le développement de l'Afrique (TICAD V).  
4.319.   Elle forme le vœu que les recommandations, résolutions et décisions contenues dans la 
Déclaration de Yokohama de 2013 et le Plan d'action de Yokohama 201 3-2017 continuent de faire 
l'objet d'un suivi adéquat en vue de leur mise en œuvre efficiente, notamment le Programme 
d'aide pour l'Afrique.  
4.320.   Par ailleurs, il convient de saluer, en ce qui concerne les PMA, l'augmentation des produits 
en provenance de ces p ays qui bénéficient de l'entrée sur le marché japonais en franchise des 
droits de douane et sans contingent; la portée de ce régime passant de 86% à environ 98% des 
lignes tarifaires.  
4.321.   La délégation du Bénin salue le leadership et l'implication active du Ja pon dans le 
renforcement d'un système commercial multilatéral fort, ayant au cœur de ses préoccupations la 
question centrale du développement.  
NEPAL  
4.322.   Since the inception of the GATT and later on WTO, Japan has been playing very 
constructive and supportive r ole in strengthening and further advancing rule -based multilateral 
trading system. As one of the largest economies and one of the leading exporting countries, Japan 
has a profound responsibility to fulfil to promote multilateral trading system. It is of co urse a 
matter of appreciation that despite having its own challenges in maintaining desired economic 
growth and stability, Japan continues its support for the upliftment of poor and vulnerable 
economies of the world.  
4.323.   The ambitious reform package also known  as "Abenomics" that Japan has been 
undertaking since its previous TPR, has been found effective in revitalizing its economy. The 
reform package -based on a "three arrows strategy" i.e. flexible monetary policy, expansionary 
fiscal policy and structural ref orms in areas such as agriculture, energy and healthcare, has started 
recovering Japanese economy gradually from the decade -long stagnant growth, though desired 
level of progress is yet to be made.  
4.324.   It is interesting to note that Japan continued to be the world's fourth largest exporter and 
importer of goods during the review period while in services trade, it ranked fifth and fourth 
among world exporters and importers, respectively. Similarly, it is worthwhile to note that Japan is 
the second -largest outwa rd direct investor in the world, with US$136 billion in 2013.  
4.325.   Japan has been a longstanding development partner of Nepal. The Government of Japan 
has been providing assistance to the Government of Nepal since early 1960 through various 
programmes implement ed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).The assistance 
provided in the form of grant and loan have been very useful in the development of some of the 
key infrastructures such as hydro power generation and road construction in Nepal.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.326.   On trade a nd investment front, Japan has been one of the major investors and one 
important trading partners of Nepal both in terms of export and import. As a small LDC economy, 
Nepal suffers persistent trade deficit with Japan over the years, which, needs to be rect ified in the 
coming days through mutual efforts.   
4.327.   On the front of services trade, many Nepalese technical interns have benefitted from the 
programme being implemented by Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO). 
JITCO programme has be en found very effective to enhance technical knowhow of Nepalese 
interns and providing them with decent jobs in Japan and elsewhere. As it has been useful for 
countries like us, we urge the Government of Japan to increase quota for trainees under JITCO 
programme.  
4.328.   Nepal has been a popular destination for many Japanese tourists for different purposes 
including sight -seeing, mountaineering expedition and trekking. The number of tourists visiting 
Nepal has been increasing over the years. We expect more visitor s from Japan in the days ahead.  
4.329.   Japan currently provides DFQF facility to LDCs in approximately 98% of its defined tariff 
lines. In April 2011, Japan extended the effective period of the GSP scheme up to 31 March 2021, 
which is a welcome move. However, as  some of the agriculture and manufactured products of 
LDCs interests are still excluded from the scheme, there remains some room for further 
improvement. Likewise, preferential rules of origin applicable to Japan's GSP remain more or less 
the same as in 19 70s. It calls for further improvement and simplification in line with Bali Ministerial 
decision to facilitate LDCs' export.  
4.330.   Japan has one of the most liberalized trade regimes with an average rate of 5.8% applied 
MFN tariff. However, for agricultural produ cts as the average bound rate remains considerably 
higher i.e.15.2%, LDCs are still facing difficulty to penetrate agriculture market of Japan. Besides, 
as Japan applies a very high standard of SPS and TBT measures on imported goods, meeting some 
of those stringent standards for LDCs are beyond their capacity. As a result, LDCs are facing 
challenges to enhance their export to Japan despite availability of DFQF for 98% tariff lines. 
Hence, we call upon Japan to provide 100% DFQF for LDCs' agro and manufactur ed products with 
flexible and reasonable SPS and TBT standards.  
4.331.   As indicated in High Level meeting in February this year, and reiterated by delegation of 
Japan in its introductory remarks this morning, we encourage Japan to submit its notification of 
preferences to be provided to LDCs services and services supplier at the earliest possible, to ease 
LDCs services and services supplier for the enhancement of their trade in service sectors.  
4.332.   Lastly, we wish Japan a successful and productive Trade Policy Review . 
URUGUAY  
4.333.   Nuestro país ha mantenido históricamente amistosas y constructivas relaciones con Japón 
en los distintos ámbitos de la relación bilateral; tanto en el plano político, económico -comercial, 
como de cooperación y cultural.  
4.334.   Uruguay agradece y valora  la cooperación técnica y comunitaria en áreas de medio 
ambiente, salud y bienestar social y formación, económica y financiera brindada por del Gobierno 
de Japón. Son sumamente importantes asimismo los programas de becas para estudiar el Japón, 
así como ta mbién el Programa de Voluntarios Senior.   
4.335.   En lo que respecta al intercambio bilateral de bienes, la balanza comercial entre Uruguay y 
Japón registró un déficit comercial en los últimos años, consecuencia dela de la disminución de las 
exportaciones uruguay as en ese período.  
4.336.   Las importaciones uruguayas desde Japón también han disminuido en los últimos años. 
Los principales productos poseen mayor valor agregado comparativamente con las exportaciones 
uruguayas como vehículos, caucho y sus manufacturas, maquin aria, reactores nucleares, material 
eléctrico.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.337.   El déficit comercial agrícola de Japón en el año 2013 fue de 58 000 millones de dólares 
EE.UU. Uruguay le exporta unos 12 millones de dólares EE.UU. anuales, concentrados en bienes 
primarios, por lo que a prio ri resulta ser un mercado más que interesante. Las exportaciones de 
Uruguay a Japón se concentran en lana peinada (42%), grasa de lana o lanolina (14%), soja —que 
ha tenido un crecimiento extraordinario en los últimos años, pasando de 52 mil dólares EE.UU.  en 
el 2011 a más de 2 millones de dólares EE.UU. en el 2014 (9%) —, pescado congelado (8%), 
extractos y preparaciones de carne (5% y 2,3%, respectivamente), cigarros (5%), jugo de 
mandarinas (2,8%) y madera en bruto (2,3%). Habría que explorar con los Mini sterios sectoriales 
cuáles son las posibilidades reales y cuáles son las principales dificultades para incrementar las 
ventas de estos productos que ya acceden al mercado japonés. De todas formas, se plantean 
algunas preguntas a continuación que surgen de la lectura del TPR –informe de la Secretaría, y que 
puede ser interesante para comprender mejor las políticas aplicadas por Japón. Sin perjuicio de su 
lectura, se hará llegar por escrito las siguientes  preguntas:  
1) En lo referente a los operadores económicos  autorizados, según el párrafo 3.3 del informe 
de la Secretaría, en las cargas marítimas los operadores económicos autorizados tienen un 
tiempo de levante de 6 minutos, en tanto que los operadores económicos no autorizados 
tienen un tiempo de 156 minutos ( 26 veces mayor). ¿Podría Japón explicar brevemente 
cuáles son los procedimientos aduaneros aplicables a los operadores económicos autorizados 
que mayormente explican dicha diferencia (trámites y presentación de la información previa 
a la llegada de la merc adería, levante previo a la determinación definitiva de los derechos de 
aduana, etc.)?  
2) Japón mantiene 159 líneas arancelarias sin consolidar, fundamentalmente en productos de 
la pesca, aceites de petróleo y manufacturas de madera (párrafo 3.19). ¿Piensa Ja pón 
consolidar dichas líneas a la brevedad? ¿Cuáles son las razones por las cuales concentra los 
productos no consolidados en estos tres sectores?  
4.338.   Y la tercer a pregunta es:  
3) ¿Puede Japón desarrollar brevemente cuáles son los principales cambios introduci dos por la 
Política básica de promoción de la industria frutícola de 2010 en relación a la anteriormente 
vigente? ¿Cuáles son las principales frutas clasificadas como "frutas de mayor valor" hacia 
las cuales Japón intenta reorientar la producción de los ag ricultores?  
4.339.   Existen muchas oportunidades de incrementar el comercio ya existente e intercambiar 
nuevos productos y servicios. En este sentido, es importante destacar avances concretos que ha 
habido en nuestra agenda económica como consecuencia del buen niv el de diálogo, así el pasado 
26 de enero nuestros países firmaron en Montevideo un acuerdo para incrementar su intercambio 
comercial y promover la liberalización, promoción y protección de las inversiones. El objetivo ha 
sido complementar el marco normativ o vigente, aportar certezas jurídicas, desarrollar capacidades 
y facilitar el acceso a los recursos y captar inversiones.    
4.340.   Sin duda que este acuerdo será un elemento catalizador para incrementar el intercambio 
comercial y potenciar además las inversiones  niponas en Uruguay.  
4.341.   Otro avance que la delegación de Uruguay agradece es la reciente Misión técnica del 
Ministerio de agricultura, forestación y pesca de Japón (MAFF), en el marco de las etapas para la 
habilitación de exportación de carne bovina sin hues o hacia dicho país, aguardando la exitosa 
finalización de este proceso.  
4.342.   Finalmente, quisiéramos, reafirmar el interés de ambos países por aunar esfuerzos para la 
finalización exitosa de la Ronda de Doha para el Desarrollo, así como el fortalecimiento del s istema 
multilateral de comercio basado en normas previsibles, transparentes y equilibradas.  
4.343.   Uruguay le desea a Japón los mayores de los éxitos en el duodécimo Examen de sus 
políticas comerciales.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  HONDURAS  
4.344.   Nos complace observar que en la Estrategia de rev italización del Japón se ha establecido el 
objetivo de duplicar la inversión extranjera directa para en el año 2020 intensificando el recurso a 
las asociaciones público -privadas, mecanismo que en mi país, igualmente se está tratando de 
desarrollar.  
4.345.   Tal com o lo señala el informe de la Secretaría, en diciembre de 2013, se modificó la Ley 
Antimonopolio, con el objetivo de garantizar la competencia técnica, mejorar la equidad procesal y 
eliminar el trámite de la audiencia de la Comisión de Comercio Leal del Jap ón en el caso de los 
recursos administrativos. Lo anterior, con el fin de que todos los recursos relacionados con 
resoluciones de la Comisión de Comercio Leal, se sometan a la jurisdicción exclusiva del Tribunal 
de Distrito de Tokio.  
4.346.   Notamos y valoramos l os esfuerzos realizados por el Japón en relación al reforzamiento de 
la protección del derecho de autor en el entorno digital, la introducción de la protección de las 
marcas de fábrica o de comercio no tradicionales y la mejora de la eficiencia del sistema  de 
patentes así como la resolución judicial sobre la protección de las patentes esenciales.  
4.347.   En lo que respecta a nuestro comercio bilateral durante el año 2014, se importaron 
alrededor de 62 millones de dólares EE.UU. principalmente en motores, generador es eléctricos, 
tractores y caucho; y exportamos más de 30 millones de dólares EE.UU. en productos tales como 
café, porotos y tubérculos, entre otros.  
4.348.   Hacemos referencia al Décimo séptimo (XVII) Foro de Diálogo y Cooperación SICA –Japón, 
en el cual se destac ó la importancia de utilizar el mecanismo de cooperación existente, la atracción 
de compañías japonesas a la región con el fin de incrementar el intercambio comercial e incentivar 
la inversión y la generación del empleo en Centroamérica.  
4.349.   Adicionalmente, ac ogemos con satisfacción la firma de un convenio de donación firmado 
con nuestro país para la inversión de 16 millones de lempiras en proyectos de educación y salud 
para comunidades de cinco departamentos del país.  
4.350.   Honduras y Japón en el 2015 celebran el oc togésimo aniversario de relaciones bilaterales 
entre ambas naciones. Ahora más que nunca, la amistad entre el Japón y América Latina, 
incluyendo a Honduras, continúa creciendo. Este año es muy significativo para la Agencia de 
Cooperación Internacional del Japón (JICA) en Honduras, porque en 1975, hace 40 años, se firmó 
el convenio de Cooperación de Voluntarios de Ultramar de Japón, entre el Gobierno hondureño y el 
japonés.  
4.351.   Finalmente, permítame reite rar nuestro reconocimiento por esta nueva oportunidad de 
intercambiar y examinar las políticas y prácticas comerciales de Japón, al mismo tiempo desear 
éxito a las autoridades en la presentación de su Mecanismo de examen de políticas comerciales.  
KINGDOM  OF SAUDI  ARABIA  
4.352.   Over the period of review, the "Abenomics"  have supported the overall improvement of 
Japan's economy. Despite a challenging environment, these policies are on the verge of ending the 
endemic deflation and revitalizing the Japanese economy. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia trusts that 
the additional ref orms recently adopted, including the "Basic Policies for the Economic and Fiscal 
Management and Reform 2014", the "Revitalization Strategy 2014" and the "Regulatory Reform 
Implementation Plan" will continue to support the improvement of Japan's economic pe rformance 
and the efforts undertaken to reduce the budget deficit. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia commends 
Japan for remaining transparent and keeping its economy open even in difficult times and for 
promoting the continued development of an open and fair tra ding environment creating 
opportunities benefiting developing and developed countries alike. These efforts have certainly 
contributed to the recovery of Japan economy, through increased export opportunities and more 
competitive imports.  
4.353.   This year marks th e 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between 
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan. Over this period, both countries have significantly WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  developed their political, economic and trade relationships and have grown into major trading  and 
investment partners. On the occasion of the visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to Japan in 
2014, the Saudi and Japanese Governments issued a joint statement on their determination to 
strengthen the "Comprehensive Partnership - From Energy to S ynergy" in all fields. This visit will 
reinforce future cooperation and exchanges between the two countries.  
4.354.   Japan is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's main trading partner. In 2013, exports from the 
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Japan, which mainly consisted of crude oil and petroleum products, 
amounted to almost US$50 billion. With exports of about 1.16 million barrels of crude oil a day, 
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the most important exporter of crude oil to Japan and supports its 
efforts to secure sufficien t energy production after the Fukushima disaster. The Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia imports, mainly automobiles, machinery and equipment and metals, for US$6.8 billion from 
Japan.   
4.355.   Over the period of review, Japan has continued to play a central role in the rei nforcement 
of the multilateral trading system and has been active in bilateral and plurilateral trade 
negotiations.  On many occasions, Japan reasserted its commitment to trade liberalization under 
the auspices of the WTO and its support for the conclusion  of the DDA. Japan has constructively 
engaged in the negotiations that led to the successful conclusion of the Bali Ministerial, including in 
the negotiations on the Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
4.356.   The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia looks forward to continuing the very close working 
relationship with Japan, in and outside this organization, to reinforce bilateral and global trade in a 
fair and inclusive manner.  
NIGERIA  
4.357.   At the time of its eleventh TPR in 2013, Japan was recovering from the earthquake and 
tsunami of 2 011 which resulted in sharp declines in private consumption and stock -building and 
widespread supply chain disruptions affecting production across the country, particularly in 
export -led sectors such as automobiles and electronics. Production had also been  affected by the 
shutdown of nuclear power plants following the accident in Fukushima in 2011. Moreover, Japan 
confronted other key challenges, notably very high public debt, rapidly aging population, and 
nearly two decades of deflation and low growth. Nig eria is pleased to note that since then, Japan 
has been implementing an ambitious reform programme known as Three Arrow Strategy aimed to 
overcome deflation and revitalize the economy thereby achieving economic growth of 
approximately 3% in nominal terms a nd approximately 2% in real terms on average.  
4.358.   The inward FDI in Japan is far below that of other major developed economies. The 
continued low level of FDI is attributed to factors such as the relatively high cost of doing business 
in Japan; strict and comp licated domestic sector regulations; limited availability of risk capital; 
regulatory barriers; the difficulty involved in hiring qualified employees; and impediments to 
mergers and acquisitions. As indicated in the Secretariat report, Japan aims to double  the 
outstanding amount of FDI by foreign companies to ¥35 trillion by 2020. To achieve this, tax 
incentives to stimulate investment and private -demand -led growth are also being discussed. A cut 
in corporate tax (currently 30%) is considered as the initial  major step. It would be interesting if 
Japan would share with us the sectors they are targeting for the inward FDI.  
4.359.   The report of the Secretariat states that government policy also affects sales of the 
processed products. Although tobacco products are sub ject to excise duties, some brands, all 
owned by Japan Tobacco, are subject to lower rates. Furthermore, importers, wholesalers, and 
retailers of cigarettes are required to register with the Minister of Finance who must approve final 
retail prices. Nigeria  would like to know if such policy is consistent with the national treatment.  
4.360.   The Government report states that Japan has maintained and strengthened the 
multilateral trading system under the WTO as the main pillar of Japan's external economic policy. 
At the same time, Japan has also promoted its regional and bilateral trade policies as means of 
complementing the multilateral trading system, particularly through Economic Partnership 
Agreements which include elements of Free Trade Agreements and institution -building. Nigeria 
would like to know how the regional and bilateral policies help in promoting multilateral trading 
system.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.361.   The bilateral relations between Nigeria and Japan dates back to 1964 when Nigeria 
established diplomatic ties with Japan, and the re lations have been growing steadily in political, 
economic and socio -cultural spheres. The relations have been characterized by cooperation and 
trust between the leaders of our two countries, and owe a great deal to the desire of our two 
countries to forge ahead in addressing the important issues that would make the world a better 
and more secure place to live. In this context, Nigeria and Japan have intensified their bilateral 
relationship and cooperation through exchange of visits at the highest level of o ur Governments.  
4.362.   Japan has over the years promoted an active cooperation with Nigeria in the educational 
and technical fields, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which sponsors 
educational exchange programmes, build schools and offer  grants to scholars for specific studies in 
Japan. JICA, which has an office in Abuja, has also helped Nigeria in the field of rural electrification 
and agricultural projects, such as rice production and milling in Edo and Imo States.  
4.363.   Presently, Marubeni C orporation of Japan is involved in the development of the Nigeria's 
energy sector. The Corporation rehabilitated the Egbin Thermal Station in Lagos and is still very 
much engaged in other power projects in Nigeria. Other companies like the Chubu Electric a nd 
Mitsubishi Company of Japan are also involved in power projects in Nigeria.  
4.364.   Finally, as an important Member of the WTO, Japan has remained a supporter of the 
multilateral trading system. In this context, we wish to acknowledge the constructive and 
proac tive engagement of the delegation of Japan in Geneva.  
MALI 
4.365.   Nous avons noté avec intérêt les actions majeures entreprises ou envisagées par le 
Gouvernement japonais pour accentuer le processus d'ouverture en cours et pour participer 
davantage à la facilita tion des échanges entre le Japon et le reste du monde.  
4.366.   Nous apprécions également les efforts de transparence entrepris par le Japon et qui 
participent considérablement à l'amélioration du niveau des échanges avec l'extérieur. Les 
résultats déjà acquis et r appelés dans le rapport pays sont remarquables.  
4.367.   Mon pays, le Mali, remercie le Japon pour l'excellence des relations politique, économique 
et commerciale que nous entretenons depuis notre indépendance et davantage de nos jours. Pour 
ne citer que quelques f ruits de cette coopération exemplaire, le Gouvernement japonais accorde 
depuis plusieurs années un fonds de roulement appelé "Don japonais" facilitant aux opérateurs 
économiques du Mali l'accès au financement des importations en provenance du Japon.  
4.368.   Par ai lleurs, le corridor sud de l'axe Dakar -Bamako participant au désenclavement et à la 
promotion des échanges commerciaux entre le Mali et le reste du monde a été réalisé, en partie, 
grâce à quatre ponts dont un à la frontière entre le Mali et le Sénégal sur le fleuve Falémé.  
KENYA  
4.369.   We take this opportunity to acknowledge the fact that Japan is a key partner of Kenya 
particularly in the area of trade and investment.  
4.370.   We commend Japan for implementing an ambitious reform programme since 
December  2012 aimed at add ressing deflation and revitalization of its economy after more than a 
decade of sluggish performance. The implementation of the reforms has so far supported the 
economy of Japan. In this connection, we encourage Japan to sustain the process of 
implementati on of the reforms which we believe will contribute to achieving a strong economic 
growth in the long run.  
4.371.   The multilateral and regional trade agreements supported by domestic reforms to improve 
competitiveness have played a critical role in boosting trade and making Japan an open 
transparent economy. However, we are concerned that support and protection remains high in 
some areas particularly agriculture. In the context of the current DDA negotiations, we encourage 
Japan to further liberalize and open its a griculture sector to international competition.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  4.372.   We also note that Japan's SPS and TBT requirements are often more stringent than 
international standards. The cost of meeting such stringent standards can be burdensome 
particularly for developing and least d eveloped countries and therefore act as barrier to exports 
from these groups of countries.  
4.373.   At bilateral level, Japan, over a long period, has extended Technical Cooperation to Kenya 
in the form of Loans and Grants through its flagship: Japan International Cooperation Agency 
(JICA) in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture and rural development, and 
health.  
4.374.   We also commend Japan for supporting capacity development for trade facilitation projects 
at border posts and international trade facili tation in the Eastern African Region.  
4.375.   Finally, we express our appreciation to Japan's strong support to the multilateral trading 
system and especially the commitment to Aid for Trade initiative.  
QATAR  
4.376.   Even as there has been much change in Japan, and in the  global economy, since Japan's 
last Trade Policy Review, certain fundamental factors remain unchanged. Japan remains a key 
player and partner in the international trading system. Japan also has been vigilant in helping 
avoid a substantial slip backwards in to protectionism within the global trading system.  
4.377.   For the State of Qatar, Japan remains our largest trading partner. We are confident that 
the current trade policies in Japan will accelerate the recovery process of the world economy.  
4.378.   We wish Japan a succ essful Trade Policy Review.  
JAPAN  
4.379.   I would like to thank the discussant, Mr Jean -Paul Thuillier, for his very thoughtful 
presentation and I would also like to thank all the delegations who submitted statements. Some 
comments assessed positively Japan's poli cy and efforts and others posed questions. We thank all 
Members for the keen interest and high expectations for Japan in addressing its current and future 
challenges.  
4.380.   The responses to the statements will be made on Wednesday but I would like to make a 
brief additional remark on Japan's structural reform, the third arrow of Abenomics, taking into 
account the strong interest expressed by some delegations today. The economic reform has been 
a pillar and has set policies since the last start of the Abe Administ ration. As I have explained in 
my opening statement, the reform has resulted in a number of achievements. These achievements 
and the orientation for sustained reforms continue to receive strong support from Japan.  
4.381.   Future challenges in the current growth s trategy include various specific targets in foreign 
areas: to continue to promote investment in Japan, including encouraging business start -ups; to 
continue to strengthen utilization of human resources, enhancing female participation at the work 
place, and  increasing the number of international students; to create new jobs by expanding the 
market in various sectors, including health care; and to promote global economic integration by 
further increasing EPAs and FDIs, as well as attracting international tour ists. 
4.382.   In addition, the Government of Japan aims to advance through the reforms which will be 
reflected in the revision of the global strategy expected in the middle of this year. As the world 
economy continues to become interdependent, Japan remains commit ted to be open to the world 
as a supporter of the multilateral trading system. We appreciate the Members' continued support 
and understanding.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  5  REPLIES BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS  
5.1.  As many people may be aware, today is the 11th of  March which marks the fourth 
anniversary of the catastrophic Great East Japan Earthquake, which claimed so many precious 
lives in the same fleeting moments and inflicted such extensive damage across wide areas of the 
nation. Taking this opportunity, we wi sh to reiterate our heartfelt gratitude for helping hands 
kindly extended to Japan from all over the world.  
5.2.  Coming back to TPR, I recall a fruitful discussion on Monday and would like to express my 
appreciation to Madame Chair, Mr Thuillier as a discussan t, and so many delegations who 
expressed their views on Japan's trade policy. In particular, I was very much encouraged by the 
supports referring to the fact that Japan maintained free trade policy despite the damages from 
the earthquake. I also took note of some Members' positive evaluation toward the high 
predictability of Japanese tariffs as the gap of MFN applied rate and MFN bound rate in Japan is 
significantly low. Some also praised Japan's position of not frequently resorting to trade remedy 
measures . 
5.3.  We also would like to thank many Members who highly evaluated our policies such as the 
"Three Arrow Strategy" reforms of Abenomics, Japan's active roles in various activities of the WTO, 
including the Doha Round negotiations, Japan's active engagement in  plurilateral negotiations, 
such as ITA, EGA, TiSA and GPA, Japan's EPA/FTA policies that complement the WTO, Aid for 
Trade, GSP and so on.  
5.4.  I also heard a number of interventions that raised questions and comments. I am pleased to 
take this opportunity to deliver responses to them. I would like to cover the concerns which were 
raised on Monday to the extent possible within the given time limit. We would like to provide our 
written responses to the rest.  
Macroeconomic policies  
Public debt  
5.5.  A question was rais ed on Japan's effort to reduce public debt.  
5.6.  While Japan's fiscal situation is extremely severe as its public debt has cumulatively 
increased,  the Government aims to achieve both economic revitalization and fiscal consolidation in 
order to secure the trust from markets and also from the international community.  
5.7.  As I mentioned on Monday, the Government of Japan will formulate a concrete plan by the 
summer of 2015 for achieving a primary surplus of the central and local governments by FY2020.  
Monetary Policy  
5.8.  Some Members referred to Japan's monetary measures including its potential spillover effect. 
The aim of the BOJ's monetary policy and monetary measures is to ensure the relief from deflation 
and to achieve an economic virtuous circle and sustainable growth.  I would like to reiterate that 
these measures do not target exchange rates. Japan has been committed to the agreements on 
exchange rates in G -20 and G -7. 
FDIs  
5.9.  Many delegations expressed interests in how Japan intended to increase FDIs from abroad.  
5.10.  With t he Council for Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment in Japan as the control tower, 
Japan is carrying out necessary institutional reforms as well as efforts to search and encourage 
specific FDI projects.  
5.11.  For the prompt improvement of investment climate i n Japan, the Council is working to 
identify priority tasks, which include strengthening multi -language services and nurturing 
personnel with global perspectives.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  5.12.  In addition, Japan is considering to enhance the function of attracting investment through 
the coordination of relevant Ministries, agencies and local governments, and to implement 
investment promotion events focused on promising sectors where growth and/or revitalization of 
domestic market is expected.  
Trade Policies  
WTO  
5.13.  Issues on fisheries subsid ies were raised. As is described in Japan's proposal in 2011, 
TN/RL/GEN/171, Japan has committed itself to the long -term conservation and sustainable use of 
fisheries resources and has made various efforts for this goal in a number of international fora 
including WTO. Japan will continue to be engaged in this area.  
5.14.  Regarding the question of the notification of fisheries subsidies to the WTO, we recognize 
the importance of transparency, and we are currently considering what programme needs to be 
notified.  
FTAs/EPAs  
5.15.  With respect to the question on how RTAs contribute to the multilateral trading system, 
Japan considers that bilateral and regional trade agreements promote trade liberalization, and that 
they are complementary to the WTO. Japan considers that this  understanding has been widely 
shared among the WTO Members.  
5.16.  With regard to the request for enhancing transparency of RTAs negotiations, in particular 
TPP, there are natural limitations to what parties can provide on the details of ongoing RTA 
negotiations . Information will be fully available after the conclusion of such negotiations.  
Customs Procedures  
5.17.  There was a request for information on the requirements and the benefits to be an AEO 
(Authorized Economic Operator).  
5.18.  Under the current Japanese laws and re gulations, main requirements for AEOs include: 
(1) the establishment of an internal compliance program including security standards; (2) having a 
capability of conducting proper and reliable business operations; and (3) having no legal violation 
records fo r a certain period of time.  
5.19.  The major benefit of becoming an AEO is described in paragraph 3.2 of the Secretariat 
report which includes: (1) to allow goods to be released before filing the customs duty declaration; 
and (2) to import declarations can be fil ed in advance of cargo arrivals. In addition, there is a 
benefit of a decline in the frequency of documentary examinations and physical inspections of its 
import and export cargoes.  
5.20.  There was a request for the review of the Customs requirement for advance cargo 
information.  
5.21.  The Japan Customs introduced the Advance Filing Rules on Maritime Container Cargo 
Information in March 2014, with a view to responding to the need for ensuring enhanced security 
of the global supply chains after the 11 September terroris t attacks in 2001.  
5.22.  The rules are in line with the "WCO SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate 
Global Trade", which is a guideline for Customs administrations developed by the WCO (World 
Customs Organization) for the purpose of ensuring supply  chain security while maintaining the 
facilitation of trade. We understand that Customs rules, including a similar requirement of advance 
information have been implemented by other Members as well.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  Agriculture  
5.23.  Japan appreciates the many comments on Japan's  agricultural policy. Today, I would like to 
highlight the following four main points.  
5.24.  First, the food security. While maintaining basic foundation for agricultural production in the 
country, Japan imports a large amount of agricultural products. Specifica lly, net imports of 
agricultural products in 2011 were US$65.2 billion, which was the largest in the world, thus 
significantly contributing to the economies of food exporting Members.  
5.25.  Given the importance of food security in the current interdependent worl d, ensuring food 
import is crucial for countries like Japan. In this light, Japan has been advocating rules on export 
restrictions in various fora including the WTO. We have achieved concrete results in some EPAs 
already.  
5.26.  Second, agriculture is one of the major target areas of Japan's structural reforms and its 
growth strategy of Abenomics. The current strategy, which is consistent with WTO obligations, 
includes:  
(1)  increasing the ratio of farmland used by leading farmers to 80% in the next 10 years;  
(2)  reducin g the cost of rice production by leading farmers by 40% in the next 10 years 
compared with the current national average cost;  
(3)  increasing exports of agricultural, forestry and fisheries products and foods to one 
trillion yen by 2020; and  
(4)  regarding the ref orm of the Central Union of Agricultural Co -operatives, the 
Government of Japan will aim to submit relevant bills during the current ordinary Diet 
session.  
5.27.  Third, Japan's existing trade measures on agricultural products, including tariffs of various 
levels , TRQ administration, and domestic support are consistent with the WTO Agreements.  
5.28.  Fourth, Japan recognizes that agriculture is an important part of trade liberalization 
negotiations in the WTO or in FTAs/RTAs negotiations. Japan actively participates in t hose 
negotiations. Trade negotiations where each party has both defensive and offensive interests, are 
concluded as a package and agriculture is an important part of it. Whenever agreements have 
been achieved, Japan implements them in a good faith.  
SPS/TBT  
SPS 
5.29.  There was a concern raised on Japan's SPS measures and relevant regulations. Japan's SPS 
measures are, in general, based on relevant international standards, or based on scientific risk 
assessment, where its measures do not conform to relevant interna tional standards, in accordance 
with the SPS Agreement.  
5.30.  Regarding the import restriction on beef, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) 
first collects information about the country concerned on its BSE control, and then the MHLW 
requests risk a ssessment to the FSC (Food Safety Commission). The MHLW considers relaxation of 
the beef import requirement based on the result of the risk assessment made by the Food Safety 
Commission on a scientific basis.  
5.31.  When approving food additives or establishing M aximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for 
pesticides including insecticides, Japan takes Codex standards into consideration. Efforts are being 
made to accelerate the safety assessment process through enhancing the communication between 
the MHLW and FSC and facilita ting the work in each of the two agencies.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  TBT 
5.32.  Comments were also raised on Japan's TBT measures. When establishing its TBT measures, 
Japan uses the relevant international standards, such as ISO standards, Codex standards, UN 
Regulations (1958 Agreement) a nd UN Global Technical Regulations (1998 Agreement), as a basis 
wherever possible.  
5.33.  Regarding Japanese Industrial Standards (JISs) and Japan Agricultural Standards (JASs) 
which have corresponding international standards, I would like to share with Members t hat 97% 
and 77% of them have already aligned with relative international standards respectively.  
NAMA  
Pharmaceutical Sector  
5.34.  Difficulties were pointed out by Members in access to the Japanese generic pharmaceutical 
sector. In Japan, when a foreign company w ishes to export a drug manufactured outside of Japan, 
and if there is a cooperation with another company in Japan with the authorization on 
manufacturing and selling pharmaceuticals, the drug can be applied for approval through such a 
company in Japan. A f oreign company is not necessarily required to have a joint venture with a 
Japanese company or to establish its own branch office in Japan.  
5.35.  On the other hand, authorization holders are responsible for a wide range of measures 
related to manufacturing and se lling pharmaceuticals appropriately and safely in Japan, such as 
managing the issues of quality, effect and adverse effect of the pharmaceuticals concerned. 
Therefore, such authorization holders are required to establish an office in Japan to fulfil such 
responsibilities.  
Tobacco  
5.36.  With respect to the question regarding the preferential tax treatment for certain cigarettes, 
Japan has decided to phase out the preferential tax treatment for "former third class cigarettes" 
and has already submitted a relevant bi ll to the Diet.  
Business practices  
5.37.  Some Members expressed concerns about Japan's business practices that may hinder a 
foreign company's entry into the Japanese market. Other Members expressed difficulties in 
exporting certain products, like maritime equipm ent, to Japan. We are not aware of any specific 
government measures that hinder such exports to Japan. However, the Government is ready to 
consult with those Members individually to find problems, if any, and to seriously explore possible 
solutions.  
Visa 
5.38.  Regarding the request of easing visa requirements from some Members, Japan is now 
exerting all its efforts towards becoming a tourism -oriented nation with the ambitious goal of 
attracting 20 million foreign visitors in Japan. In this regard, we have impleme nted a strategy 
relaxing visa requirements for a number of Members mainly for foreign tourists that are expected 
to increase greatly in the future. We would like to explore further relaxation, giving due 
consideration to the status of measures already take n. 
Energy  
5.39.  Many Members touched upon Japan's energy policy.  
5.40.  Japan submitted bills to the current Diet Session on electricity and gas system reforms. 
Through a bold and well -designed deregulation and unbundling, we will transform the conventional 
energy indu stry into a new, attractive one, which is open to all players. Again, this is part of the 
third arrow of Abenomics.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  5.41.  Concerns were pointed out regarding foreign companies' entry into the Japanese market of 
renewable energy. We believe that the Japanese mark et is already open. Statistics of Japan 
Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA) shows that solar panels that are supplied by foreign 
companies from April to December 2014 account for approximately 30% of its Japanese market 
share. Also, in the Japanese dome stic market of wind power generators, the share of the products 
of foreign companies amounts to around 70% at the end of FY2013, according to the statistics of 
New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).  
Japan Post  
5.42.  Some Members to uched upon Japan Post, referring to insurance, finance and postal 
services.  
5.43.  The bank and the life insurance company under the Japan Post are subject to the same laws 
and regulations as other banks and life insurance companies respectively. In addition, in the 
course of privatization of Japan Post and its subsidiaries, the regulations under the Postal Services 
Privatization Act apply to these two financial companies, as "add -on regulations" including 
measures such as approval requirement for starting new bus iness. 
5.44.  With regard to EMS and express delivery services in Japan, respective authorities on each 
service regulate suppliers based on relevant laws and regulations.  
Government procurement  
5.45.  Some Members made comments on improving transparency and liberalizati on of Japan's 
Government procurement.  
5.46.  With the entry into force of the "Protocol Amending the Agreement on Government 
Procurement" on 16 April 2014, Japan expanded its government procurement market access. For 
example, it lowered its thresholds for goods a nd services (excluding construction engineering 
services) from 130,000 SDR to 100,000 SDR for central government entities. It expanded the 
scope where the covered designated cities have increased from 12 to 19 cities, and an additional 
16 services are newl y covered. This is a result of the negotiations within the GPA Parties, taking 
into account the overall balance of market access. With the 120 entities listed in Annex 3 of 
Japan's schedule, Japan considers its market access level is fairly ambitious compa red to other 
parties.  
5.47.  Moreover, as a part of Japan's efforts to increase opportunities for foreign suppliers, the 
Government has established, as a voluntary measure, non -discriminatory, fair, and transparent 
procedures that surpass those stipulated in the revised GPA.  
Development  
GSP 
5.48.  There was a question on the application criteria for GSP graduation.  
5.49.  Generally speaking, as regards the application criteria for GSP, it is essential to consider 
various factors, such as the level of economic development of ben eficiaries or the application 
criteria of other GSP providers.  
5.50.  In addition, the Government of Japan applies objective criteria in its operation of the GSP 
scheme for the purpose of promoting economic growth in the developing world. Considering the 
situatio ns on each domestic industry, Japan has not included certain products in Japan's GSP 
scheme.  
LDC-DFQF, Service Waiver  
5.51.  We appreciate positive comments on Japan's efforts on providing duty -free, quota -free 
(DFQF) for LDCs. We will need careful examination on  the possibility of further expanding the 
product coverage of DFQF.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  5.52.  Regarding the LDC Services Waiver as I mentioned on Monday, Japan will submit a 
notification to the Council of Trade in Services as soon as possible.  
Conclusion  
5.53.  Due to the time limit as we ll as the technical nature on some of the questions, there may be 
a few questions to which I did not respond in the meeting today. However, we are ready to discuss 
the remaining specific concerns in a bilateral context. We also received a number of follow -up 
written questions from some Members. We will answer them in writing in due course.  
5.54.  As I mentioned on Monday, Japan will continue its efforts for the reform, including structural 
reform under the open multilateral trading system. We are looking forward t o sharing our 
achievements in the next TPR.  
5.55.  I would like to conclude my remarks by thanking you Ambassador Mariam Salleh, as well as 
our discussant, Mr. Jean -Paul Thuillier, the Secretariat team and all the Members for their 
contributions to make this 12th  review of Japan a productive one. I hope our humble efforts will 
contribute to maintenance and strengthening of the multilateral trading system.  
DISCUSSANT  
5.56.  Je remercierai to ut d’abord M. Tomochika Uyama, Chef de délégation, et l’A mbassadeur 
représentant p ermanent du Japon à l’OMC, S .E. Yoichi Otabe, pour le travail important réalisé à 
l’occasion du douzième E xamen de la politique commerciale du Japon. Le rôle du Japon dans 
l’économie et le commerce mondial a été souligné par le  grand nombre d’interventions , j’en ai noté 
40 prononcées en grande partie pa r les ambassadeurs, émanant de M embres en développement, 
appartenant aux PMA, aux Petites économies v ulnérables, aux Membres d’accession r écente, aux 
grands pays  exportateurs agricoles, et de Membres développ és, et de questions, près de 700, 
adressées à la délég ation japonaise. L’intérêt des M embres manifesté sur les orientations de 
politique commerciale en lien avec le  cadre économique général des "Abenomics"  s’est illustré par 
l’intervention complémentaire d e M. Uyama en fin d’après -midi du 9 mars pour présenter de façon 
plus détaillée le volet économique de la troisième flèche des "Abenomics" . 
5.57.  De cet e xamen, je tire deux conclusions : 
• La première, relative au cadre actuel de la politique commerciale, permet d e porter une 
appréciation générale sur l’engagement du Japon à l’OMC et son rôle d’acteur commercial 
mondial. Sur ce point, je dirais que, pour le Ja pon, l’examen fut sans surprise ; 
• la seconde, relative à la façon dont le Japon se projette dans les prochai nes années pour 
sortir de la déflation et retrouver le chemin de la croissance, peut donner aux orientations 
actuelles l’allure d’un régime commercial en transition. Sur ce second point, le prés entateur 
serait tenté de dire "Vivement 2017!" , date du procha in EPC du Japon, pour mesurer le 
chemin qui aura été parcouru.  
5.58.  Sur le cadre actuel, j’ai pu n oter l’importance que tous les M embres indistinctement 
accordent au rôle du Japon comme acteur dans le commerce mondial, et la concentration des 
questions sur des aspects bien co nnus.  
5.59.  Le Japon est un partenaire majeur dans le système commercial multilatéral. Son 
engagement dans les négociations multilatérales pour avancer dans l’agenda de Doha, et dans les 
négociations plurilatérales, est unanimement salué. Son res pect des engagements n ’est pas 
questionné; plusieurs M embres ont salué le fait que les années difficiles traversées depuis les 
catastrophes de 2011 n’ont pas conduit à prend re des mesures protectionnistes ; le régime 
commercial ass ure stabilité et prévisibi lité. 
5.60.  De nombreux M embres ont également rappelé l’importance de leurs relatio ns bilatérales, 
aussi bien les M embres en développement que les M embres développés, que ces relations soient 
structurées par des accords régionaux préférentiels, des accords bilat éraux de coopération, des 
programmes d’assistance technique et de soutien financier, qui donnent la mesure de l’ancrage du 
Japon et de son rayonnement dans l’économie mondiale.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  5.61.  Cet engagement da ns un réseau d’accords de libre -échange est de nature à complé ter 
l’ouverture commerciale du Japon et accroître la transparence. Celui relatif aux accords de 
coopération illustre, y compris dans les initiatives à l’égard  de l’Afrique salué par divers M embres 
de ce continent, le rôle moteur que le Japon joue en matièr e d’aide au dévelo ppement.  
5.62.  Concernant les questions des M embres et complétant le rapport du Secrétariat, ma 
conclusion dominante est que les obstacles aux frontières sont moins problématiques que les 
obsta cles derrière les frontières, ce qui est cohérent a vec les réformes identifiées comme 
nécessaires pour fai re évoluer le modèle économique , l’agriculture faisant peut être exception par 
la combinaison des deux types de barrières.  
5.63.  En effet, sans qu’il m’ait été possible de procéder à une analyse de fréquenc e, les questio ns 
des M embres relatives à l’agriculture semblent avoir été, de loin, les plus  nombreuses, qu’il 
s’agisse de Membres en développement ou de Membres développés, de M embres bénéficiant de 
relations préférentielles via de s accords régionaux ou n on, de M embres bénéficiant du système des 
préférences g énéralisées du Japon, certains M embres PMA bénéficiant du régime DFQF demand ant 
que le régime qui couvre 98 % des produits soit ouvert à 100% des produits. Les M embres ont 
noté, s’agissant de l’agricult ure, que les protections tarifaires se combinent à un niveau de soutien 
qualifié par plusieurs Membres de "distorsif" , ainsi qu’à un régime de normes sanitaires et 
phytosanit aires, considéré par plusieurs M embres comme une restriction supplémentaire à l’ac cès 
au marché. Le rapprochement des normes internationales et une meilleure transparence des 
pratiques d’homologation ont été notamment souhaités. L’importance des subventions à la pêche a 
été également signalée par quelques Membres.  
5.64.  Pour le reste, j’ai pu  noter que la question des normes et des procédures de conformité était 
fréquemment soulevée comme un obstacle à l’implantation et à la localisation d ’IDE, objectif que 
poursuit le G ouvernement  japonais dans le cadre de la "troisième flèche" . L’ouverture à  davantage 
de concurrence a été également mentionnée, qu’il s’agisse de bien comprendre la réforme en 
cours du cadre concurrentiel, l’ouverture de certains secteurs de services (la Poste, les services 
professionnels, les services financiers, les télécommun ications, les transports maritimes ont été 
cités) ainsi que les  marchés publics dont certains M embres ont noté l’importance d’une réforme 
des pratiques actuelles et l’intérêt pour le Japon p our une plus grande ouverture.  
5.65.  Le nombre et l’importance de ces r emarques n’occulte pas naturellement les aspects positifs 
à commencer par l’annonce de l’engagement d’une réforme de la politique agricole, unanimement 
soutenue, ou l’importance accordée à la propriété intellectuelle et aux PME. Mais dans toutes leurs 
comp osantes , les questions posées par les M embres n’ont pas présenté de surprises et je remercie 
dès à présent la délégation du Japon d’avoir commencé à y répondre, oralement et par écrit, et à 
s’être engagée à poursuivre le di alogue ultérieurement avec les M embres concernés.  
5.66.  Ma deuxième conclusion sera relativ e à la projection visée par le G ouvernement japonais  
avec la troisième flèche des "Abenomics" : celle -ci annonce un régime commercial en transition et 
incite le présentateur à dire : "Vivement 2017!" . 
5.67.  Les "Abenomics"  dépassent le seul cadre de la politique commerciale dont c ette 
Organisation a le mandat. Mais le lien entre les trois "flèches"  a été souligné par de nombreux 
Membres qui ont rappelé que le rôle du Japon était crucial pour le redressement de la  croissance 
mondiale, et que la sortie de la déflation ou le redressement de la productivité ne manqueraient 
pas d’avoir des incidences sur leurs é changes commerciaux. Plusieurs M embres se félicitant de 
l’intensité de leurs relations bilatérales, n’ont pas  manqué à cet égard de constater une contraction 
des volumes d’échanges bilatéraux ces dernières années et appelé de  leurs vœux une 
redynamisation.  
5.68.  La question d’une mise en œuvre soutenable des réformes a également été soulevée, du fait 
du lien évident en tre l’annonce de certaines réformes en matière de concurrence, 
d’investissement, de services, de secteurs, et le régime commercial du Japon, qu’il s’agisse de 
l’objectif de couvrir 70% des échanges par les ALE, du lien entre les réformes internes et 
l’ouve rture commerciale, ou des conséquences possibles des réformes règlem entaires sur l’accès 
au marché.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  5.69.  Comme je l’ai indiqué cependant dans ma présentation, la politique d’assouplissement 
monétair e semble bien comprise par les M embres, et en tout cas  n’a pas  été questionnée dans 
une approche mercantiliste. En revanche, le décalage temporel entre les trois flèches a suscité 
quelques questions, comme susceptible de réduire l’i mpact à moyen terme des trois "flèches" , ou 
de retarder certains ajuste ments nécessair es. 
5.70.  Avec le soutien général des M embres, le Japon peut être convaincu que le s orientations 
retenues par le G ouvernement sont considérées comme très positives. Les enjeux n’en restent pas 
moins considérables, pour passer à un modèle d’ouverture acc rue et de  réformes intérieures 
capable de redynamiser l’éc onomie dans un monde globalisé.  
5.71.  En revanche, et c’est pourquoi l’E xamen de 2017 sera aussi passionnant que celui de  2015, 
mais encore plus crucial , les autorités japonaises créent des attentes importantes au près de leurs 
partenaires.  
5.72.  En 2017, on peut former le vœu, pour le Japon et pour les Membres, que l’agenda de Doha 
sera conclu, ou en passe d’être conclu,  que les méga -accords régionaux  (TPP, RCEP, APE avec 
l’Union européenne) seront conclus et commencero nt à être mis en œuvre, et que la politique 
commerciale du Japon sera un des éléments moteurs du renouveau.  
CHINA  
5.73.  Thank you for giving me the floor and thanks for our Discussant's insightful conclusions, as 
well as the responses from Japan this morning.  
5.74.  Like other Members, China attaches great importance to this TPR and yesterday we 
submitted our follow -up questions. We expect the replies in due time.  
5.75.  Regarding Japan's economic trade and investment environment, I would like to take this 
opportunity to hig hlight some of our concerns. On foreign direct investment, we hope that Japan 
takes measures in a more constructive manner so as to meet its FDIs by 2020. With regard to 
technical regulations and SPS measures, Japan is expected to reduce some of them in or der to 
further facilitate trade on a level playing field.  
5.76.  As its Government report states, the economic interdependence between Japan and China is 
going deeper. We believe that a sustainable and robust trade relationship will contribute greatly to 
regional  and global prosperity.  
5.77.  Last but not least, China is willing to work closely with Japan, as well as other Members to 
proceed with the post Bali work and achieve meaningful results at the MC10, sharing these 
common objectives of strengthening the multilater al trading system.  
5.78.  To conclude, I would like to congratulate the Japanese delegation on the success of its TPR.  
KINGDOM  OF BAHRAIN  
5.79.  We just like to congratulate Japan, as one of our major trading partner, for the conclusion of 
its successful Trade Policy Re view. We are happy to see that despite the economic and national 
crisis, Japan has still been able to maintain a strong, open and transparent economy, and that the 
trade policies have remained stable despite the challenges faced.  
5.80.  We would like to thank you , Madam Chair, and the Discussant, Mr Thuillier, for conducting 
this active review, and the Secretariat for providing us an excellent report. We would like to wish 
Japan the best and we look forward to a strong economic relationship.  
THE SEPARATE  CUSTOMS  TERRITORY  OF TAIWAN,  PENGHU,  KINMEN  AND  MATSU  
5.81.  I would like once again to welcome Mr. Uyama and his delegation to Geneva. I want to 
thank Japan, the Secretariat and the Discussant for the constructive and efficient work for this 
review. Chinese Taipei attach es great importance to this Trade Policy Review.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  5.82.  We very much appreciate Japan for the prompt reply on the issues of our concern raised on 
Monday, in particular regarding AFR issue. We will continue to work with Japan on the bilateral 
front to seek a mutu al satisfactory solution.  
5.83.  We submitted several follow -up written questions to the Secretariat on the recent financial 
measures adopted by the Japanese Government and very much look forward to receiving the 
replies in writing from Japan.  
5.84.  Finally, I wish Mr.  Uyama and his delegation from Tokyo a nice journey back home.  
EUROPEAN  UNION  
5.85.  Let me first express our appreciation to the Japanese delegation for the timely replies they 
have provided and for the extensive presentation given on Monday as well as this morn ing. 
5.86.  The EU appreciates that Japan has opted for the alternative timeframe which gives more 
time to Members to study the replies in advance of the meeting.  
5.87.  The EU notes that this review of Japan's economy and trade policy has been helpful for 
better unders tanding Japan's reform agenda and expects that Japan will take into due account the 
concerns expressed by several Members, in particular with reference to the "behind the borders" 
barriers, services and government procurement.  
5.88.  While the EU has no follow -up questions to pose, we will follow closely the on -going reforms 
and, in particular, the measures that Japan will implement to encourage FDIs.  
UNITED  STATES  
5.89.  I would also like to express thanks to the Japanese delegation on the replies they have 
provided. Th e United States had a few follow -up questions that we submitted to the Secretariat 
and to Japan. We appreciate the efforts that Japan has put in to advance in many trade initiatives, 
bilaterally, plurilaterally and multilaterally, and we look forward to co ntinue to work with Japan to 
deepen its efforts.  
JAPAN  
5.90.  We would like to thank all the Members and also those who put forward their follow -up 
questions. We will respond to them in due course.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  6  CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAI RPERSON  
6.1.  The twelfth Trade Policy R eview of Japan has given us a good opportunity to examine the 
trade, economic, and investment policies of Japan and how they have developed since the last 
Review in March 2013. The large number of questions submitted before the meeting and the 
number of de legations that posed those questions and intervened during our two days of 
discussions highlight the importance attached to Japan's trade and investment policy and its role 
as one of the biggest economies and trading nations in the world. Our discussion wa s greatly 
helped by the statement from the head of the delegation of Japan, Mr Tomo Uyama, the Deputy 
Director -General in the Economic Affairs Bureau in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and by the 
well-researched and comprehensive comments and insights fro m the Discussant, the Permanent 
Representative of France to the WTO, Mr Jean -Paul Thuillier.  
6.2.  Members welcomed Japan's efforts to overcome protracted deflation, revitalize the economy, 
and continue reconstruction following the Great East Japan Earthquake of  2011 through the "three 
arrows" of monetary measures, fiscal flexibility, and structural reform known as "Abenomics". At 
the time of the last Review, implementation of the first two arrows had started. Since then, the 
structural reform arrow was launched under the Japan Revitalization Strategy of 2013, which was 
revised in 2014.   
6.3.  The first two arrows are focused primarily on increasing domestic demand, although they 
have had significant trade -related implications through their effects on interest rates an d the 
exchange rate. However, the third arrow of structural reform was recognized as probably being of 
most direct interest to the Trade Policy Review Body because it includes plans and programmes to 
increase investment, improve productivity, and thus enha nce trade. Members urged Japan to 
pursue these structural reforms without delay, including trade and investment liberalization 
measures, to achieve strong economic growth, encourage private investment, increase 
productivity, and enhance competitiveness. Th is would also help Japan address its long -standing 
structural problems including an ageing population, labour shortages, and relatively low FDI 
inflows. Furthermore, as several delegations and the discussant noted, the first two arrows are 
short-term stimu li, but it is the third arrow which will provide the basis for long -term sustainable 
growth.   
6.4.  Members appreciated Japan's active role in the WTO and its constructive participation in the 
negotiations leading to the Trade Facilitation Agreement, as well as  negotiations on services, 
environmental goods, and expanding the scope of the Information Technology Agreement. They 
also noted Japan has made relatively little use of contingency trade remedies. Several delegations 
commended the support provided by Japan  for technical cooperation which ranged from assistance 
to improving customs procedures, to education and training, to aid for agricultural improvements, 
to support for aid for trade.  
6.5.  Members remarked that Japan has a network of 14 RTAs in force, one more  than in 2013 
because of a new bilateral agreement with Australia, and has recently signed an agreement with 
Mongolia. Furthermore, they noted that Japan is currently negotiating several trade agreements, 
including mega preferential agreements, notably the  Trans Pacific Partnership and the Regional 
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or RCEP. Through these negotiations and its 
domestic reforms, Japan aims to increase the proportion of trade under regional trade agreements 
from 19% to 70% by 2018 an d double FDI by 2020.  
6.6.  Several of the points raised during the meeting have been raised in previous Reviews of 
Japan while the new issues raised are related mostly to the reform process which is under way 
through the Japan Revitalization Strategy. Areas fo r attention brought up by Members during the 
Review, either through the question and answer process or through their statements, include the 
following:  
• Customs procedures:  The improvements to the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) 
programme and its impact on the release time for imports were noted but concerns 
remained about customs procedures, particularly for some agricultural products;  
• Technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary measures:  Several 
delegations noted that a significant propor tion of Japan's TBT and SPS measures do not WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  correspond to international norms and the requirements to show compliance with Japanese 
requirements are often complex and costly;  
• Government procurement:  Although Japan is a party to the revised Government 
Procu rement Agreement, some delegations stated that access to public tenders was more 
complicated for foreign enterprises than for those present in Japan;  
• Competition policy:  The reform of the Anti -Monopoly Act in 2013 was noted but concerns 
remained about the  number of exemptions to the Act and to its implementation;  
• Business environment:  Concerns were raised about visa requirements for various 
categories, including business travellers, IT professionals, trainees, and health care workers;  
• Agriculture:  Suppor t and protection for agriculture remains high relative to other OECD 
countries. Although there have been several policy developments and the Government 
intends to increase productivity and competitiveness, the sector is still protected by high 
tariffs and supported by policies linked to prices or to production or to both. Furthermore, at 
the moment, Japan's regional trade agreements and its generalised system of preferences 
scheme provide only limited coverage to agricultural, as well as textile, footwear a nd 
clothing products;  
• Fisheries:  Several delegations posed questions about different programmes and subsidy 
levels for fisheries in Japan and noted that Japan has several unbound tariffs on fisheries 
products; and  
• Services:  Opening of some services sectors , such as electricity, telecommunications, 
maritime, and courier services, to greater competition would benefit investment and could 
reduce business costs. In addition, questions were raised about Japan Post, its privatization, 
and the need for a level pla ying field in insurance.  
6.7.  Japan's wealth is based on trade and as a global economic power it has an important role to 
play in maintaining a rules -based trading system which is vital to the current and future prosperity 
of trading nations. Japan remains ver y competitive in several sectors and, in general, it is open to 
trade with transparent laws, regulations, and trading practices. However, Japan faces key 
challenges and Members have raised concerns about some sectors and issues which are important 
to them.  Therefore, I would encourage Japan to continue its efforts to further liberalize trade and 
investment for its own benefit and that of its trading partners.  
6.8.  In closing, I would like to thank Deputy Director -General Uyama and the rest of the Japanese 
delega tion, all the other delegations, the Discussant, Mr Thuillier, and the Secretariat for this very 
successful twelfth review of the trade policies of Japan.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  7  ELECTION OF A NEW CHAIRPERSON FOR THE TPRB  
7.1.  As indicated in the order of the first day of this meetin g, we now move to the election of the 
Chairperson for the TPRB for 2015. At its meeting on 20 February 2015, the General Council noted 
the consensus on the slate of names of Chairpersons for WTO bodies, including Ambassador 
Atanas Atanassov Paparizov as th e Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body.  
7.2.  Under its rules of procedure, the Trade Policy Review Body is now invited to elect 
Ambassador Paparizov as the Chairperson for 2015. I would like to suggest that Members of the 
TPRB confirm their support for h is election with a round of applause.  
7.3.  On a personal note, it has been my pleasure and duty to have chaired the reviews of 
20 Members through 14  meetings of the TPRB as well as our meetings to consider the 
Director -General's reports on trade policy developm ents, including the annual overview of 
developments in the international trading environment.  
7.4.  This past one year has been a valuable experience and certainly educative for me, with the 
opportunity to gain detailed information and analysis of Members' trade  policy measures provided 
by the reports and from your comments in this peer review process.  
7.5.  The process provides a deep insight of the concerted efforts made by all Members under 
review to improve their trade and investment regimes and to pursue continued  economic growth, 
amidst the varied challenges faced. Besides national priorities, Members under review, in my view, 
do take into consideration your constructive comments in improving policy measures so as to be in 
compliance to WTO rules.  
7.6.  You the Members of this body have therefore played an important role in ensuring this 
process of Members' review is successful and has the expected impact or intended impact.  
7.7.  My one wish is to see many more Members participate in this TPR of Members big and small, 
or at l east by representatives of regional groupings given the limited resources of smaller 
Members.  
7.8.  I would like to sincerely thank everyone, the delegates, both those based in Geneva and 
those that came from capitals, for the constructive collaboration at all t hese meetings. I thank the 
Secretariat for all their hard work in producing the excellent analytical reports, right on schedule 
and going out of their way to support me as the Chairperson this past year. I would also like to 
thank my colleagues, fellow amb assadors who readily came forward to be discussants, taking time 
from their busy schedule to give their personal insights on the policy measures of the respective 
Member under review. And last but not least, the interpreters for offering to stay on every t ime we 
ran out of schedule.  
7.9.  I wish Ambassador Paparizov every success in the year ahead as the new Chairperson of the 
Trade Policy Review Body.  
7.10.  I now hand over to Ambassador Paparizov.  
AMBASSADOR  PAPARIZOV  
7.11.  Thank you Ambassador Mariam Salleh. It has been r eally an honour for me, distinguished 
delegates, to be elected to this important Chairmanship in the WTO. I think that all the efforts 
exercised by Mariam and my other predecessors over the years have  established this Body as a 
very important pl ace for the  exchange of views of  policies, and of the need to develop 
macroeconomic and trade policies. This has been a very good basis for countries to enrich their 
visions about solving problems.  
7.12.  I was very much impressed by the Trade Policy Review of Japan, by th e discussions, by the 
number of delegations and the number of issues that have been raised. The role of the discussant 
has been very important and I hope that the quality of the discussants will continue all over the 
process under my Chairmanship.  WT/TPR/W/ 78 • Japan  
 
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  7.13.  I thank you once again and assure you that I will try to leave up to the responsibility that 
you have given to me and try to organize, together with the Secretariat, the work of this Body at 
the level that has been typical for this Institution.  
__________