WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
WT/MIN(11)/ST/9 
15 December 2011  
 
(11-6550) 
MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 
Eighth Session Geneva, 15 - 17 December 2011 Original:   English 
 
  
JAPAN 
 
Statement by Mr Yukio Edano 
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry 
  
I would like to start by expressing my gratitude to President Calmy-Ray, Federal Councillor 
Schneider-Ammann and the people of Switzerla nd for hosting the Eighth WTO Ministerial. 
 
I would also like to warmly welcome Vanuatu, Samoa, the Russian Federation and 
Montenegro to the WTO.  
Firstly, on behalf of the people of Japan, I would like to extend my thanks to Members, 
international institutions attending this conference,  and people around the world for the tremendous 
outpouring of cordial assistance that Japan has r eceived following the Great East Japan Earthquake 
and Tsunami Disaster in March.  The infrastructure and local economy in the disaster-affected region 
are steadily being restored.  Normal daily life has co me back to most parts of Japan.  And we invite 
you all to visit an impressively recovering Japan.  I also would like to ask Members for measured 
responses based on scientific evidence when importing Japanese products. 
 
1. Free trade is a driving force for growth 
An earnest desire that I have is to "Walk together with countries and regions around the 
world, sharing the joy of growth".  Trade is one of the best means to this end. 
 
Japan is a country that has been able to achie ve remarkable development through the benefit 
of free trade.  In the post war period, it was fi rst textile trade that paved the way toward the 
subsequent gradual sophistication of the industr ial structure.  Japanese people know, through their 
own experience, that free trade provides a foundation  for economic development.  Although currently 
facing the twofold challenge of an unprecedented disaster and global economic crisis, Japan will surely overcome these challenges and strongly continue to advance trade liberalization. 
 
As of 1990, East Asia was one of the poorest regi ons in the world with more than half of its 
population living under the international poverty line.  However, this ratio has been dramatically 
improved, and today, it is below 20 per cent.  A driv ing force of this change was the region's deeper 
involvement in the international division of labour, which has been made possible by trade 
liberalization. 
 
The global economic crisis, described as "once in a century", seemed to have settled down at 
one point.  The current situation, however, does not allow for such an optimistic outlook.  With rising 
concerns about countries becoming inward looking and diminishing interest in trade liberalization, we 
are precisely now at a time when all the WTO Members should jointly embrace the value of 
free trade, which helps realize growth, job creati on and the development in the developing Members. WT/MIN(11)/ST/9 
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2. WTO has prevented the spread of the crisis 
Along with trade liberalization, another impor tant role of the WTO is to preserve the 
rules-based international trading system.  In spite  of the current economic difficulties, calm has been 
sustained without causing a trade war that occurred during the Great Depression in the 1930s.  This 
demonstrates that the WTO has been  successfully fulfilling its role. 
 
One example of this success is its dispute settleme nt mechanism.  The fact that over 420 cases 
have been brought forward before the WTO is evid ence that a culture of resolving trade disputes 
based on rules has now become deeply rooted.  Togeth er with all the other Members, I intend to work 
for further strengthening the judicial function of the WTO. 
 
We should also not forget the role and contribution made by the regular committees.  At the 
Trade Policy Review Body meetings, for example,  Members have a frank discussion of each other's 
trade measures.  The trade monitoring report enc ourages Members to refrain  from introducing trade 
restriction measures.  Japan strongly supports the continuation of the report on a regular basis. 
 
3. Overcoming the two challenges of the multilateral trading system 
We, however, cannot afford to be complacent.   There are two major challenges we must 
overcome.  The revival of protectionism 
 
One is the resurgence of protectionism.  Almo st 340 trade restrictive measures have been 
introduced since last October, which is an in crease of more than 50 per cent over the corresponding 
period last year.  As shown by the rapid increase in  export restrictions, the forms of trade-restrictive 
measures are also becoming diversified. 
 
One lesson we learned from the great earthquake is  that global specialization has advanced far 
more than we had thought.  There is a small com ponent manufacturer located in the coastal region of 
the Tohoku district, employing about 150 workers.  One of their electric devices enjoyed more than a 50 per cent global market share.  The moment the disaster forced its production line to stop, concern 
of supply immediately spread among the electronic manufactures across the world. 
 
It is not only natural disasters that force production lines to stop.  If a country introduces 
protectionist measures, global supply chains woul d bypass that country, with the consequence of 
losing opportunities to enjoy the benefit of global sp ecialization, sustainable growth, and job creation. 
 
I would call on all Ministers attending this conf erence to resolve to refrain from introducing 
new trade-restrictive measures, and to ro ll back those measures already introduced. 
 
The stalemate of the Doha Round 
 
Another challenge before us is th e stalemate of the Doha Round. 
 
The flame of the Doha Round must not be put out.  Strong political will and the courage to 
make another step forward would, no doubt, be th e engine to move the negotiations forward.  I 
support the idea of advancing negotiations in ar eas where progress can be achieved in accordance 
with the mandate of the Doha Round. 
  WT/MIN(11)/ST/9 
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  An agreement on LDCs services waiver in this  conference will be encouraging progress.  We 
should pursue the same success in other po ssible areas such as LDC-related areas. 
 
In the more difficult areas, Japan will make ev ery possible effort to advance the negotiations, 
examining with flexibility all available options. 
 
In accordance with the development mandate of the Round, Japan has provided $12 billion  as 
"Aid for Trade" over the last three years.  Japan will continue to support de veloping Members so that 
they can further enjoy the benefits of trade.  4. Efforts beyond the Doha Round 
We need some more time to conc lude the Doha Round.  In the meantime, we need to continue 
various efforts to enhance trade liberalization.  
Efforts made by critical mass of Memb ers for further trade liberalization 
 
One option would be to pursue the possibility of further liberalization by Members who 
volunteer to join.  The Information Technology Agreement and The Government Procurement Agreement serve as examples fo r our future reference. 
 
Enhancing complementarity of regional trade agr eements and the multilateral trading system 
 
How best can we make sure that regional tr ade agreements, which now number more than 
500, will further contribute to the strengthening of  the multilateral trading system?  This is an 
important question that the WTO must address.  Ru les under different agreements should not divide 
the world.  Japan, jointly with other proponent Members, would like to propose that the WTO analyse 
the common elements of regional trade agreements. 
 
5. Conclusion - governance of the WTO 
Finally, 17 years have passed since the WT O was established, and the world has changed 
dramatically.  The WTO also needs to change itself accordingly.  
One challenge is greater flexibility.  The multila teral trading system exists for the sake of a 
wide range of stakeholders, including industry, and stands on their confidence in the system.  
One source of this confidence would probably be the flexibility to be able to meet the needs of the 
time.  It is our mission to reflect on what would be  best for the future govern ance of the WTO, taking 
this element into consideration. 
 
Another challenge is the importance of shared  responsibility between developed countries and 
emerging countries.  One of the lessons we l earned from the earthquake is the importance of 
solidarity.  I would urge both developed and em erging Members to hold hands together and bear a 
commensurate responsibility to be able to rea lize a long-term benefit for all to share. 
 
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