WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1010/96 by Concepció FERRER to the Commission. Developments in the market deregulation process in Japan
Date: 1996-04-26
Institutions: European Parliament, FERRER
Subjects: Japan, deregulation, economic sector, extra-EU trade, market access, protectionism, trade volume













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91996E1010

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1010/96 by Concepció FERRER to the Commission. Developments in the market deregulation process in Japan  


Official Journal C 280 , 25/09/1996 P. 0112 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1010/96 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE) to the Commission (26 April 1996)Subject: Developments in the market deregulation process in JapanThe Union suffers from a considerable trade deficit in bilateral trade between the EU and Japan and greater deregulation of the Japanese market needs to be achieved with a view to stimulating and increasing Community exports to Japan.On the occasion of the meeting held at the beginning of November 1995, the Union submitted a new list containing 184 specific proposals and recommendations (affecting 98 different sectors) to the Japanese authorities.1. Which sectors are most adversely affected by insufficient deregulation?2. Has the Commission observed a positive reaction on the part of the Japanese authorities which might satisfy the Union's demands?3. In relation to which sectors do the Japanese authorities show the greatest willingness to give way?Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission (24 May 1996)The Japanese government announced the revision of the 1995 deregulation programme on 29 March 1996. This followed extensive discussions between the Commission and the Japanese authorities on the Commission's list of deregulation proposals. The Commission is reasonably satisfied with the revised programme. Even though the Community had hoped for more rapid progress in this exercise, some positive steps have been decided, notably in the areas of construction, telecommunications and financial services. It should also be remembered that in 1995 Japan made particular efforts to deregulate in the automobile sector. The deregulation programme is undoubtedly a step in the right direction and it is crucially important that it is now translated rapidly into specific action.Progress in the field of deregulation is reflected in trade figures. Trade between the Community and Japan, which has recently grown more than twice as fast as global trade, is increasingly developing differently from what one has learned to expect. Trade from the Community to Japan is growing faster that trade from Japan to the Community. The import cover ratio vis-à-vis Japan for the Community (Japanese imports from the Community/ Japanese exports to the Community) over the period 1985-95 has increased from 0,44 in 1985 to 0,70 in 1995, reflecting the success of Community trade policy towards Japan. This can be compared with an increase in the import cover ratio vis-à-vis Japan for the United States from 0,40 in 1985 to 0,62 in 1995.Nevertheless, a significant number of market access problems remain. These include problems in the fields of cosmetics, aircraft, food additives, pork and fresh fruit and vegetables. A year from now, the current 3 year deregulation programme will be reviewed prior to the start of its final year. Only then will it be possible to assess the significance of the current programme. The Commission will of course continue to press the Japanese authorities to increase the scope and the speed of deregulation, and to provide constructive input into the deregulation process.