Under special and differential treatment, the EC calls for trade preferences to exports of developing countries being provided by developed countries and the 'wealthiest' developing countries. There should be examination of ways by which these could be made stable and predictable. Where appropriate, domestic support measures of developing countries for poverty alleviation should be exempted from reduction commitments. The de minimis clause for developing countries should also be revised to provide necessary flexibility. Japan also wants the SSG to be maintained, and in addition new mechanisms introduced to deal with safeguards for seasonal and perishable food products.
Japan is also opposed to sector specific tariff reductions.
As for domestic support, Japan wants improvements in effect for expanding the scope of subsidies and support that can be provided under the 'green box', and for maintaining the 'blue box' measures that are exempt from reduction commitments. Under Japan's proposals, all export prohibitions and restrictions should be converted into export taxes and bound in the WTO, and in cases where short-term or temporary measures are needed before export taxes are introduced, disciplines should be strengthened. Also, while strengthening the rules and disciplines on exports and state trading, there should be measures favouring the developing countries to exempt or ease obligations so as not to cause excessive burden on the developing countries. Japan has also advanced proposals to respond to what it calls concerns of Japanese consumers and civil society on measures to ensure stable food supply, providing safe food, appropriate labelling to enhance consumer confidence, and provision of adequate information to consumer and civil society about the agriculture negotiations themselves. As for tariff reductions, Korea wants commitments set in a way that recognizes the individual situation of each member country.