December 28, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Trade Economy and Industry released its "Current Survey of Commerce" for November 2004. It can be found at: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/statistics/data/h2s1000e.html
December 24, 2004 Prime Minister Koizumi's "Council on Measures for Society with Decreasing Birthrate" met for the third time to discuss Japan's aging population and how it will affect the country in the medium and long-term. Some information can be found at: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2004/12/24syousika_e.html
December 21, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Finance released its "Highlights of the FY2004 Budget:" http://www.mof.go.jp/english/budget/e20031224a.pdf and an explanatory accompanying document about how to interpret the budget: http://www.mof.go.jp/english/budget/brief/2004/2004.htm
December 18, 2004 The United Nation's Framework Convention for Climate Change summit in Buenos Aires concluded its the so-called COP-10 meeting, agreeing only to hold informal talks in 2005 to further the aims of the Kyoto Protocol. The UNFCCC press statement can be found at: http://unfccc.int/files/press/releases/application/pdf/041218pr_cop10.pdf
December 16, 2004 In a press release, Nippon Keidanren says that Japanese companies need "reasonable defense measures" (i.e. a poison pill) to protect themselves against hostile takeovers which can damage corporate value. The statement can be found at: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/policy/2004/085.html
December 15, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a joint statement regarding a "new partnership" between Japan and Bulgaria. The MOFA press release can be found at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/europe/bulgaria/joint0412.html
December 13, 2004 The United Nations Environmental Programme's Climate Change Convention is underway in Buenos Aires, Argentina (December 6-17, 2004), at which stock-taking for the Kyoto Protocol is being taken. For more information about COP-10, please see: http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=417&ArticleID=4679&l=en
December 4, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed satisfaction about the US repeal of the GATT-illegal 1916 Antidumping Act. MOFA's statement can be found at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2004/12/1204.html
December 3, 2004 The US Treasury Department found no evidence of currency manipulation by Japan or any other major trading partner. Treasury's annual "Report to Congress on International Economic and Exchange Rate Policies" press release can be downloaded from: http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js2127.htm
November 22, 2004 The US Department of Agriculture released its FY2005 forecast of US farm sales, including pork exports to Japan. The USDA statement can be found at: http://www.usda.gov/documents/NewsReleases/2004/11/0504.doc
November 19, 2004 Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said the growing US current account deficit poses to the economy and currency values. His full speech to the European Banking Congress in Germany can be found at: http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2004/20041119/default.htm
November 18, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released a press statement at the conclusion of the APEC Summit being held in Santiago, Chile. APEC ministers affirmed the "Bogor Goals" of achieving free regional trade by 2010 (2020 in lesser developed countries) and set forth goals to work on areas of common interest. The MOFA statement can be downloaded at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/apec/2004/joint.html
November 17, 2004 The National Association of Manufacturers's "Sound Dollar Coalition" issued a press statement contending that the value of the US dollar is not too weak, but in fact, still much too strong. The release can be downloaded at: http://www.nam.org/s_nam/doc1.asp?TrackID=&SID=1&DID=232427&
CID=14&VID=2&RTID=0&CIDQS=&
Taxonomy=False&specialSearch=False
November 17, 2004 Chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee Bill Thomas (R-California) said that he supports a repeal of the GATT-illegal CVD and antidumping counter-measures provided by the "Byrd Amendment. Congressman Thomas was prompted by a WTO request filed by Japan and other countries to retaliate against the US.
November 16, 2004 USTR Robert Zoellick will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Chile, November 17-18. The USTR press statement can be found at: http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2004/
November/USTR_Zoellick_to_Attend_AsiaPacific_Economic_Cooperation_
(APEC)_Meeting_in_Chile,_November_17-18.html
November 10, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Trade (METI) filed a formal request in the WTO for permission to retaliate against the US for its GATT-illegal CVD and antidumping counter-measures under the so-called "Byrd Amendment." The METI statement can be found at: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/information/data/cByrd2004e.html
November 2004 In their soon-to-be released book, IIE President Fred Bersten and John Williamson discuss "Dollar Adjustments: How Far? Against What?" The chapter dealing with Asian currencies can be found at: http://www.iie.com/publications/papers/dollar-chapter.pdf
November 2004 Nippon Keidanren's Vice Chairman Kenji Miyahara released the Ten Priority Policy recommendations aimed at making Japan a "vibrant, attractive nation" by 2025 . His comments can be found at: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/journal/200411.html
November 8, 2004 President Bush signed the US-Japan Social Security Totalization Agreement, starting the clock on the 60 "legislative days" for Congressional action. The bilateral agreement, already ratified by the Japanese Diet, would eliminate double taxation on the social security payments made by Japanese employees who are assigned to the US for fewer than 5 years, as well as US employees who work in Japan for fewer than five years. An article about the SSTA can be found in KKC's "Japan Economic Currents" newsletter (Issue 48), dated September 2004: http://www.kkc-usa.org/index.cfm/1414/3392
November 5, 2004 Japan's Foreign Minister Machimura issued a press statement on Russia's accession to the Kyoto Protocol. With Russia's participation, 55% of the developed world's carbon dioxide emissions in 1990 is now represented, allowing the Protocol to come into effect in February 2005. The Machimura statement can be found at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/announce/2004/11/1105.html
November 5, 2004 The Japanese Minister of the Environment, Yuriko Koike, also released a statement welcoming the signature of Prime Minister Putin on the Kyoto Protocol. She said that Japan will continue to urge the US, Australia, and other countries to ratify the Protocol. The Koike release can be downloaded from: http://www.env.go.jp/en/news/2004/1105.html
November 5, 2005 Japan's Ministry of Environment said it would soon formally propose both "upstream" and downstream" taxes in order to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. If enacted, the new taxes would be imposed on gasoline, kerosene, light fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gas, coal, heavy oil for ships, natural gas, city gas, electricity, and jet fuel as of January 2006. The anticipated hike in tax revenues is expected to total 490 billion yen ($4.6 billion) and will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 52 billion tons annually.
November 4, 2004 Prime Minister Koizumi congratulated President Bush for his reelection to a second term in office. The Koizumi statement can be downloaded from: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumispeech/2004/11/04comment_e.html
October 27, 2004 John Bolton, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security spoke about “Stopping the Spread of WMD in the Asian-Pacific Region” in Tokyo. His press conference can be downloaded from: http://www.state.gov/t/us/rm/37480.htm
October 24, 2004 US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura held a joint press conference. The transcript can be downloaded from: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/37355.htm
October 23, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Agriculture released a joint statement about the resumption of two-way beef trade with the United States, following the BSE scare. It can be found at: http://www.maff.go.jp/www/press/cont2/20041023/eng.htm. The US Secretary for Agriculture Ann Veneman issued a press statement on the same day, welcoming the resumed beef trade: http://www.usda.gov/documents/NewsReleases/2004/10/0463.doc
October 14, 2004 The Bank of Japan issued its Semi-Annual Revision of the Corporate Goods Price Index. It can be found at: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/stat/pi/crcgpi06.htm
October 14, 2004 The United States Trade Representative's office issued its annual list of specific recommendations for Japan's deregulation in key sectors -- IT, telecom, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, energy, and competition policy. It also urges focus on Transparency and Other Government Practices, Commercial Law Reform, Legal System Reforms, Financial Services reform and deregulating the distribution sector. And the US is also eager for Japan to privatize key government entities, including the postal department. The USTR press release can be downloaded from: http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2004/October/
United_States_Calls_on_Japan_to_Bolster_Regulatory_Reform_Submits_Far-Reaching_Recommendations.html
October 14, 2004 The US-Japan Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy commission dedicated to speeding regulatory reforms issued its annual report. The commission's annual recommendations for sectoral and cross-sectoral issues can be found at: http://www.ustr.gov/assets/World_Regions/North_Asia/Japan/
Regulatory_Reform_Initiative/asset_upload_file229_6538.pdf
October 13, 2004 US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage gave a wide-ranging press conference at the US Embassy in Tokyo. The transcript can be downloaded from: http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20041013-61.html
October 13, 2004 Bank of Japan Governor Fukui gave a speech regarding global imbalances and exchanges. It can be found at: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/press/04/ko0410a_f.htm
October 12, 2004 Prime Minister Koizumi gave a lengthy "General Policy Speech" to the Japanese Diet (parliament). It can be downloaded from: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumispeech/2004/10/12shoshin_e.html
October 12, 2004 The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the Accounting Standards Board of Japan (ASBJ) began discussion about harmonizing accounting standards. The joint statement can be found at: http://www.iasb.org/news/iasb.asp?showPageContent=no&xml=10_225_29_12102004.htm
October 7, 2004 US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Nobutaka Machimura issued statements after their meeting regarding the "Iraq Donors Conference" in Washington, DC. They can be seen at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/36914.htm and http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20041008-16.html.
October 5, 2004 Prime Minister Koizumi's cabinet released three guidelines regarding the privatization of Japan's postal system. It can be downloaded from: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2004/10/05yusei_e.html
October 3-4, 2004 Following the annual World Bank and IMF meetings, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a number of documents to the MOFA website:
http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/g10_041003.pdf
http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/if041003.pdf
http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/if041003c.pdf
http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/if041003st.pdf
http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/if041002c.pdf
http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/g7_041001_1.pdf
October 3, 2004 Miki Shigemitsu, Nippon Keidanren's Vice Chairman and President of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi issued published a piece about the global economy in "Economic Trend." His comments can be found at: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/journal/200410.html
September 27, 2004 The Office of the Prime Minister released its roster of the reshuffled Koizumi Cabinet. It can be found at: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2004/09/27kaizou_e.html
September 22, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Finance issued its monthly trade statistics. It can be downloaded from: http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/latest/200408ce.pdf
September 20, 2004 The UK's Prime Minister Blair called on the rest of the G-8 countries to take the lead in addressing global warming. The Kyoto Protocol, Blair said, is only the first step. His speech can be downloaded from: http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page6333.asp
September 16, 2004 Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) issued a report detailing the discrepancies between major Japanese banks and their bad loan write-offs, following four rounds of inspections. The FSA report can be found at: http://www.fsa.go.jp/news/newse.html
September 15, 2004 IIE economist Adam Posen discusses "What Went Right in Japan" at an IIE conference. His paper can be found at: http://www.iie.com/publications/papers/posen0904-2.pdf
September 13, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) issued its White Paper, "International Trade and Economy 2004." It can be downloaded from: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/report/index.html
September 10, 2004 The Bank of Japan issued its Annual Review 2004, a report which profiles Japan's monetary and fiscal policies for FY2004. It can be downloaded at: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/about/04/ar2004_f.htm
September 7, 2004 US Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke at the signing ceremony for the Aichi World Expo, to be held in Aichi, Japan from March-September 2004. His comments can be found at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/36012.htm
September 3, 2004 The Ministry of Finance issued its FY2003 Policy Evaluation of Japanese tax measures. It can be found at: http://www.mof.go.jp/english/hyouka/15nendo/hyouka8.htm
September 2, 2004 Toshihiko Fukui, Governor of the Bank of Japan issued a statement about the overall economy and Japanese monetary policy. It can be found at: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/press/04/ko0409a_f.htm
August 31, 2004 In acting on challenges to the so-called Byrd Amendment antidumping law filed by a number of countries, including Japan, the WTO ruled against the US. The Japanese complaint regarding the Byrd Amendment can be downloaded from: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/217arb_c_e.pdf
August 31, 2004 A statement by METI Minister Shoichi Nakagawa about the Byrd Amendment challenge can be found at: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/information/data/cWTOByrd040831e.html
August 30, 2004 The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA)'s "Automobile & Motorcycle Statistics and Summary" report reported that Japan exported 450,263 cars in July 2004 (up 53,619 units or 13.5 percent as compared with 396,644 units recorded for July 2003). The report can be found at: http://www.jama-english.jp/release/release/2004/040830.html#automobile_export
August 26, 2004 Japan is the US's second largest importer of American farm products at $8.9 billion in US sales in FY2004, says US Agriculture Secretary, Ann Veneman. The USDA press release can be downloaded from: http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0366.04.html
August 26, 2004 Japan's Financial Services Agency proposed changes in the tax code that would extend capital gains tax reductions through end FY2012 and provide tax relief to large-lot individual investors in stocks and related products. The GOJ's Tax Commission takes action on annual tax reforms in December. Further information can be found at: http://www.fsa.go.jp/indexe.html
August 24, 2004 The US government submitted comments to Japan’s Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications on radio spectrum user fees. The comments can be found at: http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20040824-61.html
August 18, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released the key points of its 2004 White Paper on International Economy and Trade. It can be downloaded from: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/report/index.html (the full paper will released in English at the end of August).
August 13, 2004 In an interview with Fuji Television, Secretary of State Colin Powell expressed some satisfaction with progress in the Six Party Talks regarding North Korea. Powell's transcript can be found at: http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20040816-16.html
August 12, 2004 In a Federal Register notice, USTR requested public comments regarding Japanese apple importation policies, arguably in breach of WTO SPS committments. The FR notice can be found at: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/
edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-18457.pdf
August 11, 2004 JETRO released a summary of its 2004 White Paper on International Trade and Foreign Direct Investment. It can be downloaded from: http://www.jetro.go.jp/it/e/press/2004/aug11.html
August 1, 2004 The World Trade Organization discussed its "July package" of Doha trade talks in a press release: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dda_e/draft_text_gc_dg_31july04_e.htm
July 31, 2004 USTR says in a press release that WTO (Doha Development Agenda) trade talks are "back on track:" http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2004/July/
Doha_Talks_Back_on_Track_as_WTO_Agrees
_on_Negotiating_Framework.html
July 29, 2004 The Bank of Japan issued a report about the (non China-related) reasons for the strength of Japanese exports to East Asia. The report can be downloaded from: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/ronbun/04/rev04e01_f.htm
July 28, 2004 The Bank of Japan also released statistics on international banking. The report can be found at: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/stat/bis/qibs0403_f.htm
July 23, 2004 The Bank of Japan issued its "Overview of Japanese Banks: Observations from Financial Statements for FY2003," a survey of 14 major banks and 114 regional banks. It can be downloaded from: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/ronbun/04/ron0407a_f.htm
July 22, 2004 US Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman said that discussions about US beef imports to Japan are underway. Altogether, she said, one-third of US beef sales overseas have been restored to pre-BSE scare levels. Her statement can be found at: http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20040720-11.html
July 22, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted the "Final Report of the US-Japan BSE Working Group" on its website: http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/bse0407.pdf
July 22, 2004 Toshihiko Fukui, Governor of the Bank of Japan, gave a speech about the significance of an efficient financial services for the future of the Japanese economy. His comments can be downloaded from: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/press/04/ko0407c_f.htm
July 21, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry released a White Paper about the internationalization of accounting standards, an issue of primary significance for the Japanese business community. The METI report can be found at: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/report/data/IBAreporte.html
July 20, 2004 The Office of the US Trade Representative announced it will seek $143.4 in sanctions from Japan for its restrictions on imported American apples. The press release can be downloaded from: http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/07/04-61.pdf
July 20, 2004 The OECD issued a report calling on Japan to keep up its momentum on implementing regulatory reform. The statement can be found at: http://www.oecd.org/document/15/0,2340,en_2649_201185_33330959_1_1_1_1,00.html
July 16, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released its annual "Image of Japan" study, which shows that American opinion leaders and, to a lesser extent, the general public have a favorable view of Japan. The full study can be found at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/survey/summary2004.html
July 16, 2004 Japan's Nippon Keidanren and the US's National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) released a joint letter calling for progress in industrial issues in the ongoing Doha Development Agenda round of the WTO. The letter can be found at: http://www.nam.org/s_nam/doc1.asp?CID=67&DID=231584
July 15, 2004 Prime Minister Koizumi and Foreign Minister Kawaguchi met with US National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice. Photos and details can be found on the MOFA website at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/meet0407-2.html
July 14, 2004 The Teikoku Databank released its Japanese corporate bankruptcy statistics for the first half of FY2004 (June 2003 to June 2004) -- the number of companies declaring bankruptcy fell 19.3 percent to 1,125 cases, the 18th consecutive month that bankruptcies have fallen. Liabilities have also fallen. The full report can be found at: http://www.tdb.co.jp/english/news_reports/backnumber2004.html
July 13, 2004 US Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker says that "it is time for Japan to be ambitious" in the current WTO round of trade negotiations. Baker's speech can be found at: http://japan.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20040710-61.html
July 7, 2004 The newest Harris poll finds that Sony Corporation ranks first in its annual "Best Brands" survey. The Toyota Motor Corporation comes in fifth. The Harris poll can be found at: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=479
July 6, 2004 The Bank of Japan released its "Semiannual Report on Currency and Monetary Control" for the second half of FY2003. It can be found at: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/seisaku/04/pb/hanki04b_f.htm
July 1, 2004 The US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi announced that the US and Japan have created a Diplomatic Exchange Program that assigns diplomats from each country to work in the Foreign Affairs department of the other. This annual diplomatic exchange, the first of its kind in Asia, starts next year. The press statement can be downloaded at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2004/34095.htm
July 1, 2004 According to a JETRO article, Japan is a worldwide trendsetter in cartoons and animated feature films. The article is at: http://www.jetro.go.jp/ec/e/articles/changing/docs/2004_07_anime.html
June 25, 2004 Several global services associations, including the Japan Services Network and other business organizations from the US, Europe and Australia sent an open letter to WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi. The Supachai letter can be found at: http://www.globalservicesnetwork.com/supchai_letter.htm
June 24, 2004 A just-released JETRO report finds that Japanese business sentiment in East Asia is leveling off. It can be downloaded from: http://www.jetro.go.jp/it/e/press/2004/jun24.html
June 23, 2004 The Bank of Japan released one of its Discussion Paper Series on Japanese demographics. It can be found at: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/ronbun/dps04_f.htm
June 22, 2004 The IMF's Rodrigo de Rato said that he is "optimistic" about Japan's recent developments and longtime economic problems. His statement can be downloaded from: http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2004/pr04121.htm
June 18, 2004 Japan's Foreign Minister Kawaguchi will visit China and Russia June 21-25. For a MOFA press release and her itinerary, please see: http://www.mofa.go.jp/announce/event/2004/6/0618-2.html
June 18, 2004 The Bank of Japan released the minutes of its April 28, 2004, Monetary Policy Meeting. They can be found at: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/seisaku/04/pb/g040428_f.htm
June 15, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Finance published a primer about the Japanese budget process. It can be found at: http://www.mof.go.jp/english/budget/brief/2004/2004.htm
June 15, 2004 The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan praised the June 8 "Third Report to the Leaders on the US-Japan Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative" in its press release: http://www.accj.or.jp/document_library/PressReleases/regreformEandJ.pdf
June 14-15, 2004 The Bank of Japan released its monthly "Economic and Financial Developments" report, following its June Monetary Policy Committee meeting. It can be downloaded from: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/seisaku/04/pb/gp0406_f.htm
June 14, 2004 The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said that Japan will apply mutual recognition for international accounting standards used by the European Union. The US is also expected to align its practices with the same standards. A METI report on Japanese accounting standards (written in Japanese) can be found at: http://www.meti.go.jp/policy/economic_industrial/press/0005307/index.html
June 10, 2004 The transcript from Prime Minister Koizumi's final press conference at the G-7 Summit in Sea Island, Georgia can be downloaded from: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumispeech/2004/06/10press_e.html
June 9-10, 2004 A series of speeches and G-7 position papers from the G-7 Summit in Sea Island, Georgia can be found at: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumispeech/2004/06/09summit_e.html
June 1-9, 2004 As it did last year, a Nippon Keidanren delegation visted European and American trade officials and business organizations in Geneva, Brussels and Washington, DC to discuss priorities in the Doha Development Agenda. Please email info@kkc-usa.org for a copy of the position paper.
June 8, 2004 METI released the "Third Report to the Leaders on the US-Japan Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative." It can be downloaded from: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/information/downloadfiles/regulatory3.pdf USTR released the same report and a press release on June 8th, which can be found at: http://www.ustr.gov/releases/2004/06/04-52.pdf
June 2004 JETRO released the results of its annual survey of foreign-affiliated firms doing business in Japan. The survey showed that 40% of the companies polled are bullish about the Japanese market: http://www.jetro.go.jp/it/e/update/2004/june.html
May 27, 2004 JETRO's monthly report of business sentiment by Japanese companies and affiliates in East Asia indicates that confidence is rising: http://www.jetro.go.jp/it/e/press/2004/may27.html
May 26, 2004 Prime Minister Koizumi held the first meeting of the "Headquarters for the Promotion of Regulatory Reform and Opening up to the Private Sector," an effort aimed at spurring structural reform and encouraging private sector participation in sectors traditionally dominated by the government. Further information is available at: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2004/05/25kisei_e.html
May 21, 2004 In its annual "Article IV" review of the Japanese economy, the IMF reported that "deflationary pressures are easing, and that though risks remain particularly from external factors, growth could reach 4 percent in CY2004." The report can be found at: http://www.imf.org/external/oap/2004/052104.htm
May 19, 2004 The US Embassy in Japan issued a press release about the BSE Technical Working Group (regarding exports of US beef to Japan). It can be downloaded from: http://www.usda.gov/print/2004/0198.04.doc
May 17, 2004 The Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI) released its monthly report about Japanese industrial production. The report can be found at: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/statistics/data/h200001e.html
May 17, 2004 The Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced that Japan registered a $160 billion (17.3 trillion yen) current account surplus in FY2003 -- a 29% increase over FY2002. Statistics can be downloaded at: http://www.mof.go.jp/e1c004.htm
May 12, 2004 The US and Japan will begin a series of technical working group meetings May 18-19 in Tokyo with the objective of resuming two-way beef trade this summer. Subsequent meetings will be held in June and July. The USDA press release can be found at: http://www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0192.04.html
May 11, 2004 JETRO released Q1 statistics for Japan's trade in goods, by country: http://www.jetro.go.jp/ec/e/stat/jpn_trade/200403.html
May 11, 2004 The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries released a position paper about Japan's reforms in farm price supports and why agriculture deserves unique treatment in the WTO. The paper can be downloaded from: http://www.maff.go.jp/wto/factsheet.pdf
May 4, 2004 US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham spoke about the Bush Administration's position on climate change. The full text of Abraham's speech can be downloaded from: http://tokyo.usembassy.gov/e/p/tp-20040506-44.html
April 26, 2004 Prime Minister Koizumi's Cabinet office released its monthly report of Japanese business conditions and company executives' confidence levels. The report can be downloaded from: http://www.esri.cao.go.jp/en/stat/hojin/0403hojin-e.html
April 24, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Finance (MOF) issued two statements at the annual World Bank/IMF meetings held April 24-25 in Washington, DC. They can be found at: http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/if040424st.pdf and http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/if040425st.pdf
April 21, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Finance published its trade statistics for FY2003 (which ended March 31, 2004). The trade surplus rose 16.3% over FY2002 to 11.23 trillion yen (approximately $108 billion). The MOF tables can be found at: http://www.customs.go.jp/toukei/latest/200403ce.pdf
April 20, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released a provisional translation of its response to USTR's National Trade Estimates Report. It can be downloaded from: http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/n-america/us/economy/date/nte2004.pdf
April 19, 2004 Japan's Nippon Keidanren and UNICE (the European business federation) signed a joint statement urging the adoption of a single internationally accepted set of accounting standards. Their statement can be found at: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/policy/2004/032.html
April 19, 2004 In its Global Development Finance 2004 report, the World Bank forecast that Japan's growth will register 1.3% this year (up from 0.8% in 2003). The report can be found at: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/GDFINT2004/Home/20177154/GDF_2004%20pdf.pdf
April 14, 2004 Nippon Keidanren posted its position paper entitled, "Recommendations on Accepting Non-Japanese Workers." It can be downloaded from: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/policy/2004/029.html
April 12, 2004 Prime Minister Koizumi met with Vice President Cheney in Tokyo where they discussed Iraq and North Korea. Some details can be found at: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2004/04/12usa_e.html
April 12, 2004 A short summary of the key points made by Nippon Keidanren's Chairman Okuda at his weekly press briefing can be found at: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/speech/press/2004/0412.html
April 1, 2004 The Bank of Japan's monthly "tankan" survey of Japanese companies showed that business confidence registered the fourth consecutive quarterly improvement: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/stat/tk/tk_f.htm
April 1, 2004 The US Trade Representative Office (USTR) released its annual catalogue of unfair practices by foreign trading partners. The 34-page section on Japan can be found at: http://www.ustr.gov/reports/nte/2004/japan.pdf
March 30, 2004 The US and Japanese governments formally exchanged articles of ratification for the new US-Japan tax treaty, a revision of the 1971 bilateral treaty. Tax withholding benefits will take effect July 1, 2004, and all other tax provisions will take effect on January 1, 2005. The US Treasury press release is at: http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js1275.htm
March 29, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Economy, Economics and Trade (METI) released its annual catalogue of unfair trading practices, "The WTO Consistency of Trade Policies by Major Trading Partners." The full English translation will be released at the end of April, but a summary and press release can be found at: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/report/downloadfiles/gCT04Presse.pdf
March 24, 2004 Prime Minister Koizumi attended the fourth certification ceremony for 88 new Special Deregulation Zones. To date, 324 Zones have been created in Japan. For the Cabinet's statement, please see: http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/koizumiphoto/2004/03/24tokku_e.html. More information abou the Zones can be found on our website: http://www.kkc-usa.org/index.cfm/3133
March 23, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry issued its interim "New Industry Promotion Strategy" on the development of next-generation civilian technologies and services. The report (in Japanese) can be downloaded from: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/newtopics/data/n040323e.htm
March 22, 2004 Nippon Keidanren's Japan Services Network signs a Coalition of Service Industries press release which calls on WTO members to make urgent progress in the multilateral liberalization of trade in services. The press release can be found at: http://www.uscsi.org/publications/papers/03-22-04.htm
March 19, 2004 Japan's House of Councillors approved a dramatic revision of the 1972 US-Japan tax treaty. If, as expected, the articles of ratification are exchanged by the Koizumi and Bush governments on March 30, the tax benefits go into effect on July 1, 2004.
March 16, 2004 Following its March 15-16 board meeting, the Bank of Japan posted its latest monthly statistics on economic and financial developments: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/seisaku/04/pb/gp0403_f.htm
March 15, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Finance posted its latest monthly statistics about foreign exchange reserves, balance of payments, and trade: http://www.mof.go.jp/english/mf_review/368_01.htm
March 10, 2004 The US Treasury Department applauded the Senate approval of the US-Japan tax treaty and expressed hope that the Japanese Diet will do the same. Treasury's press release can be found at: http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js1227.htm
Posted March 3, 2004 Nippon Keidanren released a position piece calling for the establishment of a 301-like mechanism in Japan to combat unfair trading practices. http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/policy/2004/016.html
March 2, 2004 In a speech to the Economic Club of New York regarding the Bank of Japan's intervention, Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan expressed concern about Japan's "awesome" accumulation of foreign-exchange reserves, and warned that the "monetary consequences of continued intervention could become problematic." Greenspan's speech can be dowloaded from: http://www.federalreserve.gov/boarddocs/speeches/2004/20040302/default.htm
February 25, 2004 IMF Managing Director Köhler said that "Japanese growth figures surpassed everyone's expectation." His comments can be found at: shttp://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pr/2004/pr0435.htm
February 18, 2004 Nippon Keidaren posted its 2004 position paper "Management and Human Resources: Creating Higher Added Value, Utilizing Diverse Human Resources" It can be dowloaded from: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/policy/2003/123.html
February 9, 2004 G-7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors released a joint statement: http://www.mof.go.jp/english/if/g7_040207.pdf
January 20, 2004 The Bank of Japan issued its "Recent Financial and Economic Developments" report following the January 19-20 BOJ meeting. It can be downloaded from: http://www.boj.or.jp/en/seisaku/03/pb/gp0401_f.htm
January 12, 2004 Japan's Ministry of Finance released an English translation of its FY2004 tax reform proposals. It can be dowloaded from: http://www.mof.go.jp/english/tax/tax2004/tax2004a.pdf
January 6, 2004 Regarding exchange rates, Nippon Keidanren Chairman Okuda said that "further appreciation of Yen against the US dollar would harm the competitiveness of (Japanese) exporting companies." A partial transcript of Okuda's weekly press conference can be found at: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/english/speech/press/2004/0106.html
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