Prospects elusive for Japan-U.S. FTA

By Shinya Ajima

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10 Comments

rajakumar at 08:59 AM JST - 16th August

When is this Japan-US FTA going to be agreed?

Time for more take it easy free trade between Japan and USA. Lighten on the trade Japan/US.
rajakumar at 09:07 AM JST - 16th August

Lighten up ,on the free trade rules Japan/US.
JeffLee at 10:10 AM JST - 16th August

Japan wants "free trade" while protecting a massive "sancutuary" from foreign compeitition? What kind of narcotics are Japan's policymakers on?
palmersun at 10:34 AM JST - 16th August

"specially the employment rate of over 9% in the United States"

unemployment at 91% these days??
UnagiDon at 10:05 PM JST - 16th August

FTA's are a nice pipe-dream, but rarely wok out owing to the protectionism introduced by one or both sides, e.g. US has a FTA with Canada but then the US introduces "Buy America" requirements.
daoster at 01:17 PM JST - 17th August

The Obama doesn't care much for Free Trade Agreements, since the unions who've donated so much to Obama and the Democrats are vehemently against these agreements. Not to mention members of Congress trying to freaking sneak in "Buy American" provisions in the stimulus bill.
mygrain at 03:54 PM JST - 17th August

If history is any indication of Japanese trade policies,the US best stay clear of any FTA's with them. A bit of background info first. A year or so ago Samsung of Korea was blindsided when a high ranking internal lawyer blew the whistle on their business practices. Ones that included slush funds for paying off government officials, business partners, and worse yet the media ! Now any long termer here in Japan ahs pretty much seen the same story lines play out time and time again. The tale is thus, anytime the Americans try to enter a sector of Japans markets it gets shot down with these very effectively planned and operated smear campaigns against the product. It started with skis (Japans snow is different), then we heard about how unique the intestinal tract was for Japanese, thus keeping out many food items. Then the rice scandal of the early 90's, where rat feces was reported in the cargo holds of various ships, then the scare against Washington apples... hey, whats that white powder ? The automobile industry jumped in years ago and has played along ever since. And most recently we witnessed the absolute blatant attacks against American beef. In short, I see Japan inc engaged in many of the shenanigans Samsung was involved in. Unfortunately no-one in Japan is willing to squeel on their own company. There seems to be a difference in moral outrage between the Koreans and the Japanese. The US has had ongoing trade deficits with the Japanese for years. They have never proven to be trustworthy business partners. I say "NO" to any FTA with Japan.
gogogo at 07:41 PM JST - 17th August

When have the Japanese media "lashed out" at anything... the Japanese media seem to just "report" anything they are told.
gonemad at 11:07 PM JST - 17th August

Japan protects it's agricultural sector through high import tariffs, while the US do something similar through heavy export subsidies. For the farmers, on average, a FTA shouldn't change so much if those systems are kept. The question is rather whether the US taxpayers are willing to subsidize the Japanese government...
rajakumar at 06:14 AM JST - 18th August

The US agriculture goodies should enter japan without tariffs.

Japan has limited land and big population,it should not compete with US foods via tariffs and limit its food abundance. Many nations in world today,completely dependant on bigger land nations for food. Why not japan follow the same path for food abundance in global sea trade world.

The agro business protection via high tarriffs ,does not promote abundance of food for japan and japan citizens. Many japan people keep complaining about high price of food. Time for japan to reform its agro policies to a more dynamic one for better of Japan food abundance via lower prices.

The lower cost of imported food benefits is not enjoyed by japan and it should be enjoyed by japan people.

The USA should make a deal with Japan govt,on how to help farmers once tarriffs are done away . There should talks between the 3 parties US,Japan and Japan farmers .

Reform of the old system talks by 3 party should start and a mutual 3 way benefit new deal should be done.

Many people say this systems of tariffs on foreign/US food,makes food costly and thereby lower food abundance in japan.

US farmers and Japan farmer/Japan govt should combine finances for boosting US farms, to boost agro production for Japan/USA.

This way both Japan/US will own agro business in USA bigger lands and there will a bigger production of food in USA for all and Japan.

Sales from higher agro food exports in the long run,can be used to finance japan farmers compensation for losses ,in the new system for japan.

Payments will get higher as sales go higher and higher in the long run,via new system. Japan will get food at lower costs,farmers will be compensated more and USA farmers also will gain more via the rise of food exports to japan.

I think seriously J-Govt,Obama administration and Japan Farm association should consider making big changes to boost food production abundance in USA for Japan.

Japan Farm association should be given more shares in US agro farm business as a form of compensation for the new deals on Japan's agro sector policies.

It is very complex issue of change for Japan agro industry policies.

Japan should use more their land for business/houses/factories/industries, as they have limited land and land is more costly in japan.

I hope US/Japan agro ministers can work on research for this 3 way win deal.

This new US-Japan agro policy ,must encourage win deals for Japan/USA/Japan farmers/US farmers .