Japan envoy raises concern over 'Buy American' provision in U.S. bill

Sunday 26th July, 06:03 AM JST

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OssanAmerica at 12:03 AM JST - 27th July

Oh yeah...and just try to import a diesel engine into Japan...and the >Japanese aren't protectionists? Give me a break!

What western diesel engine isn't already being manufactured in Japan under license?
DenDon at 01:33 AM JST - 27th July

which would not be the first in conflict with Obama's position, again puts mud on his face.

what's wrong with egg?
buggerlugs at 04:00 AM JST - 27th July

Japan protects itself. The whole mentality is Japanese products are best, and they maybe but the price isn't always. Good luck to the US. Create more jobs for those who need them.... Damn. I can't believe I'm defending America here...
sharky1 at 05:57 AM JST - 27th July

What western diesel engine isn't already being manufactured in Japan under license?

OssanAmerica...even Japanese diesel engines cost twice as much in Japan than they do in the states, yet you are no longer allowed to import the low cost Japanese engines from foreign countries.
OssanAmerica at 06:31 AM JST - 27th July

Oh yeah...and just try to import a diesel engine into Japan...and the >Japanese aren't protectionists? Give me a break!

What western diesel engine isn't already being manufactured in Japan >>under license? OssanAmerica...even Japanese diesel engines cost twice as much in Japan >than they do in the states, yet you are no longer allowed to import the >low cost Japanese engines from foreign countries.

Are you saying that there is a law which prohibits a person from importing a Japanese diesel emngine sold in the US? Or are you saying that the cost is probitive? Casio watches cost much more in Japan than in the United States too because that's market dumping, but that's a different issue from protectionism.
Klein2 at 07:04 AM JST - 27th July

How fortunate we all are that this is still relevant. I support the "voicing of concern by a Japanese envoy" because I certainly enjoy the benefits of a more or less stable trading regime.

If the US is going to go on about opening up other countries' markets for free trade while using government funding to prop up auto companies run by inept multimillionaires, it ought to at least try to keep the veneer on the table, so to speak.

The US, not Japan, is the greatest threat to the world trade system right now. Japan needs to call the US onto to carpet to do the right thing. Certainly the US will reciprocate, which is fine by me.
sharky1 at 12:06 PM JST - 27th July

Customs will not allow you to import a Japanese diesel engine that was manufactured in another country. That is how extreme the Japanese protectionism is. I think they need to think about these things before they complain about other countries protectionists policies.
GW at 04:22 PM JST - 27th July

sharky1, dont know where you get yr info from but one can import diesel engines dutyfree into Jpn, only 5% import consumption tax applies, now once imported there may be issues with emission standards or similar to use on J-roads but that has NOTHING to due with importing engines. If your having problems it may be with the jpn equivalent of the ministry of transport but you are free to import as many damned engines as one wants.
OssanAmerica at 08:01 PM JST - 27th July

Customs will not allow you to import a Japanese diesel engine that was >manufactured in another country

Thanks that's very interesting. Would you have any links that I could read up on this subject? I think there is a connection between the licensing agreements and import restrictions. What size/application diesel engines are you talking about?
pointofview at 10:02 PM JST - 27th July

Talk about being hypocritical. They are prone to being this way though...I`ve never seen a non Japanese piece of equipment being used by a Japanese company. Take a look at all the instruments at schools and theatres. Only Japanese made.
nigelboy at 11:13 PM JST - 27th July

now once imported there may be issues with emission standards or similar to use on J-roads but that has NOTHING to due with importing engines

This is true. The timeline is summarized in the below link as follows:

http://www.mlit.go.jp/kisha/kisha08/09/090325/02.pdf

Nox and PM Measure has decreased substantially over the years.

And as for "Rice", Japan has incorporated the minimum access system due to pressure from other countries but it's not selling at all even though the government susbsidizes to make the cost to the domestic buyers lower. Where they end up eventually are for feed, processed for confectionery, and aid to foreign countries.
usaexpat at 11:52 PM JST - 27th July

No need for the provision in the first place because any admininstrator who ordered up a bunch of Nissans or Hondas would have hell to pay anyway. I believe in a little protectionism now and then but to write in a bill rather than make it a general understanding is rank amateur.
OssanAmerica at 04:55 AM JST - 28th July

No need for the provision in the first place because any admininstrator >who ordered up a bunch of Nissans or Hondas would have hell to pay >anyway.

Going back to the first post, even if those Nissans were built in Tennesee and those Hondas in Ohio? But it's ok if he orders Fords built in Mexico?
sfjp330 at 05:31 AM JST - 28th July

"Tokyo will monitor protectionist provisions" I imagine throughout 90's when the Japanese exported 2,300,000 vehicles annually and to the U.S. and when Americans exported 10,000 vehicles, and the price of the cars were double the cost as in U.S., the Japanese Govenment called it a fair trade and the U.S. called it child support. The child has grown up, support your self now.
nigelboy at 05:41 AM JST - 28th July

when Americans exported 10,000 vehicles, and the price of the cars were double the cost as in U.S

You see why that the U.S. auto manufacturers are going under. Japan has been duty free for imported automobiles since 1978.