December 26, 2007 Japan’s Minister Of Foreign Affairs, Masahiko Koumura, discussed climate change issues before the 61st Meeting of the Nippon Keidanren Board of Councillors in Tokyo. His remarks are available here.
December 26, 2007 Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the US Department of Commerce announced implementation of a bilateral Patent Prosecution Highway designed to enhance IPR protection, beginning on January 4, 2008. Additional information is available here.
December 25, 2007 Nippon Keidanren Chairman Fujio Mitarai discussed public finance issues and the state of the Japanese economy in a Christmas day press conference. A summary of his remarks is available here.
December 25, 2007 Japan’s Ministry of Finance released a quarterly business outlook survey for October-December 2007; it is available here.
December 20, 2007: Japan's Ministry of Finance released a summary of FY2008 tax reforms on corporations, SMEs, and financial and securities transactions, among other measures. It is available (in PDF) here.
December 19, 2007 Keidanren Japan’s Committee on Management and Labor Policy published a position paper on the new direction for the Japanese-style employment system. A summary of the paper can be found here.
December 18, 2007 Nippon Keidanren released an interim report on corporate philanthropic activities. A "Corporate Responsibility Handbook" addressing concerns outlined in the report will be released in spring 2008.
December 10, 2007: Nippon Keidanren Chairman Fujio Mitarai, in a Keidanren press conference, discussed a range of issues, including health insurance system reform, a road tax and Keidanren's position on upcoming labor-management negotiations. A summary is available here.
December 8-9, 2007 At the Bali, Indonesia meeting on climate change issues, USTR Susan Schwab said WTO members should be cautious to avoid a rush to restricting trade in the name of climate change action. Her statement is available here.
December 6, 2007 In Tokyo for the US-Japan Economic Sub-Cabinet Dialogue, U.S. Assistant to the President, Daniel M. Price presented a speech on the US-Japan economic relationship from bilateral, regional and global perspective in Tokyo. The speech text is available here.
December 6, 2007 In a keynote address before the Japan-America Society of Washington DC, former US Ambassador to Japan Walter Mondale discussed the importance of the US-Japan relationship and challenges ahead. The speech is available here.
November 21, 2007 The Congressional Research Service, the research arm of the U.S. Congress, released an updated report on US-Japan relations and economic and security issues facing the bilateral relationship. A pdf copy is available here.
November 21, 2007 Japan and the United States completed final steps for implementation of a bilateral agreement to facilitate trade in telecommunications equipment and expand opportunities for U.S. certification bodies. The United States-Japan Agreement on Mutual Recognition of the Results of Conformity Assessment Procedures (MRA) for telecommunications equipment is expected to enter into force on January 1, 2008. Additional information on the agreement is available here.
November 20, 2007 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released an overview of Japan-U.S. economic relations. It is available here.
November 20, 2007 Nippon Keidanren released proposed amendments to the Anti-monopoly Act to help meet the need for international regulatory consistency in procedures and appeals. The proposal is available here.
November 20, 2007 The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) held the first Japan-U.S. Conference on Product Safety. The two sides discussed an accident information reporting system and ex-ante regulations, and confirmed the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation further in the field of product safety. Additional information is available at: http://www.meti.go.jp/english/newtopics/Backissueindex.html
November 19, 2007 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released a fact sheet based on a meeting between President George Bush and Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in Washington DC on November 16, 2007, where they reaffirmed the two governments' close cooperation and coordination in addressing energy security, clean development, and climate change challenges. The fact sheet is available at: fact0711
November 16, 2007 On the occasion of his first overseas visit as Prime Minister, Yasuo Fukuda issued a joint statement with President Bush on bilateral relations in Washington DC. The State Department released the full text at: 95288
November 12, 2007: Nippon Keidanren Chairman Fujio Mitarai announced the release of Keidanren's latest annual policy assessment of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), and discussed the state of the Japanese economy during a November 12 press conference. A summary of the conference is available at: 1112
November 12, 2007 Japan's Prime Minister's Cabinet Office announced an overview of economic conditions for the month of October 2007. A provisional translation is available at: 2007oct
November 5-7, 2007: In Geneva, Switzerland, Nippon Keidanren joined a coalition of US, European and Asian industry organizations calling for an ambitious conclusion to the WTO Doha Round as the number one international priority for business. A copy of the statement is available at: 088
October 31, 2007: Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released a provisional translation of the Japanese government’s recommendations on regulatory reform and competition policy to the U.S. government. The recommendations are part of the ongoing Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative dialogue taking place as part of the Japan-U.S. Economic Partnership for Growth. The documents is available here:report0710
October 24, 2007: U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer, in a speech to the Japan National Press Club, discussed a wide range of bilateral and regional security and economic issues, including prospects for a bilateral FTA/EPA. The speech text is available here.
October 23, 2007: METI Minister Akira Amari released a statement announcing that Japan would work with key trading partners to negotiate an Anti-Counterfeit Trade Agreement (ACTA) following a trilateral meeting on trademark issues with the US and the European Union, with China as an observer. A summary of the trilateral meeting can be found here. The statement by METI Minister Amari on ACTA can be found here. The statement by METI regarding ACTA can be found here.
October 19, 2007: While in Tokyo for the U.S.-Japan Trade Forum, Ms. Cutler also discussed prospects for a US-Japan FTA/EPA at the Japan National Press Club. A copy of the speech (in PDF) is available at: Section_Index
October 18, 2007 The Government of Japan presented its recommendations regarding regulatory reform andcompetition policy to the Government of the United States upon the commencement of the seventh year dialogue of the Regulatory Reform Initiative. The recommendation is a compilation of U.S. regulations and systems that the Government of Japan believes need to be improved for the advancement of the Japan-U.S. economic relationship, incorporating views of Japanese private companies. The 47-page report is available in PDF here.
October 18, 2007: In Tokyo for the fourth meeting of the U.S.-Japan Trade Forum, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative Wendy Cutler and Director General Yoichi Otabe of the MOFA Economic Affairs Bureau exchanged annual recommendations on regulatory reform (a copy of the MOFA press statement is here: 1175767_858
October 16, 2007: Nippon Keidanren released a preliminary translation of a proposal for a post-2012 international framework to address climate change. A copy is available at: 080
October 1, 2007: Japan’s Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda gave a policy speech before a plenary session of the House of Representatives and House of Councillors at the 168th session of the Diet, where he discussed a range of issues, including Japan’s economic growth, regional revitalization and efforts to combat global warming. The full speech text is available at: 01syosin_e
October 2007 Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a summary of bilateral and regional FTAs Japan has completed or is currently negotiating; it is available in PDF form here.
September 27, 2007 The US Congressional Research Service released an updated edition of a comprehensive report on US-Japan political and economic relations. A copy in pdf form is available here.
September 27, 2007 Nippon Keidanren released a memorandum on the WTO’s Doha Round Service Negotiations. The memo calls for a strong push toward removing trade barriers for services and is available here.
September 20, 2007: Japan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nobutaka Machimura, issued a statement welcoming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 1776, adopted on September 19, on the extension of the mandate of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) which has been deployed in Afghanistan. A summary is available at: 1175558_834
September 12, 2007 The Japanese Cabinet Office’s Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) released a summary of ESRI’s Monthly Consumer Confidence Survey covering Japan. Information on survey results is available at: 0708shouhi-e
September 6, 2007 U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Schieffer spoke about Japan and the United States' interests in the Northeast Asia region at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington DC. His speech text (in PDF) is available at: SchiefferSpeech
September 5, 2007 The U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the strong security alliance between Japan and the United States. The resolution also expresses appreciation to Japan for its role in enhancing stability in the Asia-Pacific region and its efforts in the global war against terrorism. The text is available at: z?c110%3AH.RES
September 2007 Tsutomu Okuda, Vice Chairman of the Board of Councillors, Nippon Keidanren, made a statement on government decentralization in the September 2007 issue of the Keidanren journal, “Economic Trend.” A copy of the statement is at: 200709
August 27, 2007 The Bank of Japan issued its August report on developments in the financial sector and the state of the Japanese economy. The report (in PDF) is here: gp0708
August 27, 2007 The Bank of Japan’s Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies (IMES) released a series of discussion papers on a range of issues, including regional economic integration, and the post-war Japanese economy. For links to the papers, go to: dps07
August 14, 2007 The U.S. Commerce Department’s Office of Japan posted the latest available monthly US-Japan aggregate trade figures, through June 2007; they are available at: month
August 10, 2007 The Japanese Government approved a decision by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to extend for one year the punitive tariffs it imposes on 15 U.S. products exported to Japan in retaliation for the continued US application of the Byrd law. A copy of METI’s press release (in PDF), is here: 070802ByrdAmendment
August 8, 2007 The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) released a provisional translation of its 2007 White Paper on international trade and foreign direct investment. The report (PDF) is available here: ReferenceMaterials0808
August 8, 2007 Nippon Keidanren’s Subcommittee on Accounting issued a statement supporting international convergence of accounting standards. The statement is available here: 064
August 7, 2007 The White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman, James Connaughton, gave a press conference in Tokyo where he discussed energy security and climate change issues. A copy of the transcript is available at: tp-20070807-79
July 30, 2007 Japan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) issued provisional trade statistics for the first twenty days of July 2007. Additional information is available at: index_e
July 27, 2007 Japan’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) released its quarterly newsletter on Japanese government bonds. The report is available at: jgb2007_07e
July 20, 2007 Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) released an initial response to the texts on draft modalities for Agriculture and Non-agricultural Market Access (NAMA) issued by the negotiating group Chairs in the Doha Development Agenda. The press statement is available here: 070719Japan'sinitialresponse
July 17, 2007 Japan’s Cabinet Office issued its monthly report on the state of the Japanese economy. The report is available at: 2007jul
July 13, 2007 The Congressional Research Service (CRS), the research arm of the U.S. Congress, released an updated report in response to concerns that Japan may be manipulating its exchange rate to gain unfair trade advantage. The report analyzes Japan’s official intervention into currency markets, reviews various studies on the probable effect of that intervention, addresses the charge that Japan has manipulated its exchange rate (as defined by the International Monetary Fund), and reviews legislation and policy options. The report is available here: RL33178
July 11, 2007 The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) in the Japanese Cabinet Office released its monthly national consumer confidence survey for June 2007. More information on the survey results is available here: 0706shouhi-e
July 10, 2007 Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry released a 2007 White Paper on the international economy and trade. This is the 59th edition of the white paper, which analyzes global economic trends and outlines internal and external economic policies to address them. The paper is available here: Overview0712
July 9, 2007 The Congressional Research Service, the research arm of the U.S. Congress, issued an updated report on U.S.–Japan economic relations, including the significance and state of U.S.-Japan economic ties, how the ties have changed over time, and possible U.S. policy options for managing the bilateral relationship. The report is available here: RL32649
July 2, 2007 The Congressional Research Service, the research arm of the US Congress, released a report on pros and cons of the United States exporting the F-22 Raptor to Japan. The Government of Japan has expressed interest in purchasing the aircraft from the United States, and although its export is currently prohibited by U.S. law, Congress has recently and may again consider repealing the prohibition. The report, entitled “Potential F-22 Raptor Export to Japan,” is available here: RS22684
June 25, 2007 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a summary of the results of a Gallup poll surveying US opinion toward Japan on a range of issues, including perceptions on bilateral security and trade relations. For more information, go to: 174181_828
June 22, 2007 Japanese Trade Minister Akira Amari and Agriculture Minister Norihiko Akagi issued a joint statement expressing disappointment in the unsuccessful conclusion of G4 meeting in Potsdam, Germany and their willingness to participate actively in future negotiations to achieve a successful conclusion to the Doha round. For more information, go to: cDoha070625e
June 20, 2007 Japan's Ministry of Finance released its quarterly
business outlook survey covering business and domestic
economic conditions covering April - June 2007. For more information, go to:e1c1901
June 13, 2007 The Financial Services Agency’s Study Group on the Internationalization of Japanese Financial and Capital Markets issued an interim summary issue report. The interim summary is available at: 03
June 13, 2007 The Japanese and U.S. governments issued a joint press
statement on U.S. beef, which indicated that they have
reached a shared understanding that U.S. farmers are
complying with U.S. food safety requirements and the
Japan Export Verification Program since July 27, 2006. For more information, go to: tp-20070613-79
June 11, 2007 Prime Minister Abe attended the first meeting of a high-level group to discuss decentralizing political power from Tokyo and devolving it to Japan's prefectures. Further information about the 'Decentralization Reform: Nation Building Initiated by the Local Governments' initiative can be found here: 11chihoubunken_e
June 8, 2007 Prime Minister Abe gave a press conference following the G8 summit about Japan's commitment to combatting global climate change. Japan will host next year's G-8 summit and the prime minister vowed to "showcase Japan's environmental technology and know-how." Abe's comments can be found here: press
June 6, 2007 In 2001, President Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi established the Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative, an important component of the U.S.-Japan Economic Partnership for Growth. Under this initiative, each fall, the two governments exchange reform recommendations, which serve as a basis for annual reports to the President and Prime Minister specifying reform measures to be taken by each Government. The sixth annual report was released on June 6, 2007 and is available here: asset_upload_file751_12837
June 6, 2007 ESRI, the Japanese Cabinet's Economic and Social Research Institute, released the April "Index of Business Conditions." The report can be downloaded here: di-change-e
June 1, 2007 The Government of Japan’s Ministry of the Environment announced the release of a sustainable energy strategy, releasing a document entitled "Becoming a Leading Environmental Nation Strategy in the 21st Century -Japan’s strategy for a Sustainable Society.” The strategy includes proposals on the international framework in the G8 summit and outlines strategic environmental policies for Japan, and was decided upon by the cabinet on June 1, 2007. A copy of the strategy is available here: 070606-b
June 2007 The governments of Japan and the U.S. held their annual meetings on bilateral investment issues under the Economic Partnership for Growth. The 2007 Investment Initiative report is available here: 2007InvtReport_en
June 2007 The Japanese Cabinet office released its June economic report,
indicating that the Japanese economy continues to
recover with increased business investment and
domestic spending, but that exports and industrial
production are flat. For additional information, go to: 2007jun
May 31, 2007 The Bank of Japan released "Sources of Changes in Current Account Balances at the Bank of Japan and Market Operations" juqx0705
May 24, 2007 Prime Minister Abe gave an impassioned speech about global climate change. The text of his speech, "Cool Earth 50" can be found here: 24speech_e
May 23, 2007 Nippon Keidanren approved a set of resolutions at its General Assembly meeting. The recommendations, "Creative Reforms to Fulfill Responsibility for the Future," cam be found here: 043
May 16-18, 2007 Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso spoke at the 17th Asia Corporate Conference. His speech, "Global Management and the Mission for Japanese Diplomacy" can be downloaded: address0705
May 16, 2007 ESRI, the Japanese Cabinet's Economic and Social Research Institute, released the monthly consumer confidence index of all Japan for April 2007. The ESRI report can be found here: 0704shouhi-e
May 9, 2007 The Japan Bank for International Cooperation and the Asian Development Bank negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding, "A strategic partnership for investment climate improvement, regional cooperation and energy efficiency in Asia." The JBIC-ADB MOU can be found here: index
May 6, 2007 Japan's Foreign Affairs Minister Aso gave a wide-ranging press conference that covered domestic politics, Japan-China and Japan-Korea relations, and the Six-Party Talks regarding North Korea. A transcript of Aso's comments is at: index
May 3, 2007 Prime Minister Abe spoke at
60th anniversary of the enactment of the Constitution of Japan. The Abe speech is available here: 03danwa_e
May 1, 2007 The governments of Japan and China agreed on a number of ways to enhance cooperation on energy-related matters: 070427jointstatement
May 2007 The ACCJ published a position paper about the need for a level playing field in the express delivery market. The 'Viewpoint' is available here: VP_IntExp_Priv
May 2007 The Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC posted a Fact Sheet about the Comfort Women issue: cw1
April 27 - May 6, 2007 Japan's Foreign Affairs Minister Aso met with U.S. Secretary of State Rice to discuss bilateral and international issues and attended the Security Consultative Committee (2+2) meeting and “U.S.-Japan Strategic Leadership Program” to discuss the restructuring of US forces in Japan and ballistic missile defense. After Washington he will go to Russia for talks with Foreign Minister Lavrov on bilateral relations including the Northern Territorial issues and urgent international issues. Going on to Egypt, Aso will discuss the stabilization of Iraq and international assistance for that country. MOFA's press statement can be found here: 1173222_846
April 27, 2007 Following the Camp David Summit between Prime Minister Abe and President Bush, the White House released a fact sheet entitled, "U.S.-Japan Cooperation to Tackle Global Trade, Energy, and Environmental Challenges." The fact sheet is available here: 20070427-1
April 26-27, 2007 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided a link to the Abe-Bush summit proceedings: index
April 26, 2007 Press Secretary Dana Perino said the two leaders will discuss the security situation in East Asia, (specifically the North Korean nuclear problem, realignment of U.S. forces in Japan, and ways to deepen our defense cooperation); ways to promote political freedom in Asia and around the globe; address environmental issues and help advance the development of clean technologies for nuclear and non-nuclear energy generation; and to promote sustainable development in the developing world. They will also exchange views on the Middle East peace process, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan. Finally, Perino said, Bush and Abe will discuss ways to coordinate approaches on the Doha Round of WTO talks, global and bilateral trade liberalization, energy security and environmental challenges. The transcript of her press conference is at: 20070425
April 26, 2007 President Bush welcomed Prime Minister Abe to the White House: index
April 25, 2007 The members of the G8 business summit released a joint declaration calling for a greater role for newly developing countries in shaping globalization and for free and fair competition in the global marketplace. The declaration is available in pdf online.
April 17, 2007 Deputy Treasury Secretary Robert Kimmitt gave a speech to the Mansfield Foundation, "Japan and the United States:
Indispensable Partners, in Asia and Beyond." The transcript can be found here: hp356
April 17, 2007 Japan's Ambassador to the United Nations, Kenzo Oshima, gave a speech to the U.N. Security Council, "Open Debate on Energy, Security and Climate." It can be downloaded here: un0704-2
April 16, 2007 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released the
Japan-China Joint Press Statement, following the visit of
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Tokyo. It can be found here: joint Nippon Keidanren Chairman Mitarai spoke on April 12 about Premier Jiabao's visit and Keidanren's views about the just-completed US-Korea Free Trade Agreement at his weekly press conference. The transcript is available here: 0409
April 12, 2007 The Bank of Japan released its Monthly Report of Recent Economic and Financial Developments: gp0704
April 9, 2007 Nippon Keidanren Chairman Mitarai gave his weekly press conference. The transcript is available here: 0409
April 19, 2007 The Bank of Japan released a report, "The Changes Observed in Money Markets After the Rise of the Policy Interest Rate in July 2006." It can be found here: mkr0704a
March 28, 2007 JETRO released a study, "Japanese Business Sentiment in East Asia Continues Mixed in March" which is available here: 20070328888-news
March 23-26, 2007 The
Financial Services Agency
issued the report from the second Japan-EU Monitoring Meeting on Developments in Accounting and Auditing issues was held in Tokyo: 20070327
March 23, 2007 Japan's Ministry of Finance released preliminary trade statistics for February 2007: index_e
March 22, 2007 ESRI, the Japanese Cabinet's Economic and Social Research Institute, released the "Index of Business Conditions" for January-March 2007. The ESRI report can be found at: 070103yosoku-e
March 20, 2007 In anticipation of the country's aging population and insufficient labor pool of skilled human resources, Nippon Keidanren released a set of recommendations about Japan's immigration policy, "Second Set of Recommendations on Accepting Non-Japanese Workers." The report is available here: 017
March 13, 2007 Japan's Financial Services Agency and the Certified Public Accountants and Auditing Oversight Board (CPAAOB) released a comment letter to the European Commission regarding corporate accounting regulations: 20070313
March 12, 2007 The Bank of Japan issued its report on Japan's gross external debt position at the end of December 2006. It can be downloaded here: index
March 9, 2007 The Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry issued a report, "Advanced Measures for Accelerating Reform Toward Innovation: Plan in Patent Examination." The METI study can be found here: AMARIPlan2007
March 2, 2007 Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte gave a press conference in Tokyo and addressed a wide range of issues. A transcript of the press conference can be found at: tp-20070302-75
February 23, 2007 The Bank of Japan released its "Monthly Report of Recent Economic and Financial Developments" for February. The 58-page Report is available here: gp0702
February 22, 2007 Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the impending visit of US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte to Tokyo, March 1-3. The MOFA statement can be found here: 0222
February 20, 2007 Nippon Keidanren issued a position paper calling for
the "earliest conclusion of a Japan-Switzerland
Economic Partnership Agreement." It can be found here: 013
February 8, 2007 Nippon Keidanren released an English translation of its position paper, " Further Revision of M&A Legislation is Needed." It can be downloaded here: 085 An Outline of the Keidanren position can be found here: 085outline
February 8, 2007 The Bank of Japan issued its 28th "Opinion Survey on the General Public's Views and Behavior" which can be seen here: ishiki0702
February 2, 2007 Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Taro Aso, gave a press conference in which he referred to "new impetus" for the Doha Round of WTO trade talks. A transcript of his speech can be found at: 0202
January 26, 2007 Foreign Minister Taro Aso spoke to the Diet about Japan's "proactive diplomatic policy" under Prime Minister Abe. The transcript can be found here: 20070127_001047
January 26, 2007 The Bank of Japan released its monthly report of corporate service price index. It can be downloaded: cspi0612
January 19, 2007 Keidanren and Business Roundtable CEOs met today and agreed to pursue economic issues of joint interest including trade expansion, China, global climate change and sustainability. The press release can be found at: 006
January 19, 2007 Keidanren and Business Roundtable CEOs further agreed to urge their respective governments to begin discussion toward a United States-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) framework. The statement can be found here: 007
January 15, 2007 Keidanren and a wide range of other business groups issued a statement urging renewed commitment to the Doha Development Agenda, the latest round of World Trade Organization trade talks. The international business statement, "Failure is Not an Option" is available here: 005
January 10, 2007 Minister of Foreign Affairs Taro Aso issued a statement praising an appellate decision finding U.S. "zeroing" anti-dumping practices violate World Trade Organization rules. His comments can be read here: 0109
January 9, 2007 The Bank of Japan issued its "Semiannual Report on Currency and Monetary Control" for the first half of FY2006. The report is at: hanki07a
January 5, 2007 Nippon Keidanren Chairman Mitarai gave a New Year press conference. An abbreviated summary can be found at: 0105
January 5, 2007 The Bank of Japan released its year-end accounts. Full information is available at: ac061231
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