politics

Weighty issues remain for Japan, Australia in trade pact talks

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A "free" trade agreement, conducted in secret?

One that benefits the 1% at the expense of the 99%?

You really must be joking.

Scrap it and start again.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

There are still a couple of substantial issues we are negotiating and we will meet again tomorrow,”

In other words, Japan has yet to budge on agriculture, so the talks are stalled. Begiiining to sound like a broken record.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Japanese automakers say the small market share reflects a failure by U.S. car companies to offer smaller cars that are more popular with Japanese drivers.

I remember three cars which were designed to be successful in the Japanese market. The first was the Ford Fiesta, a compact car with high fuel economy as well as right or left hand drive. It was the top selling car in the world for a number of years. Next was the Escort, which replaced the Fiesta, it too became the world's top selling car. Lastly was the Ford Focus, which replaced the Escort, and which enjoys strong sales in all markets, except, of course, Japan.

For some unknown and mysterious reason, these cars never sold well in Japan. The Japanese government and trade lobbyists said that it was because these cars did not appeal to Japanese drivers. But all you had to do to see why the cars never sold well was to look at their price in Japan. The Japanese market prices were up to 40% higher than in Europe and America, because each and every single car was subject to a nuts-and-bolts inspection, and were distributed by companies who were partners with Japanese domestic makers. Imported cars are not charged the same low distribution rates as Japanese cars, and this extra cost adds to the price, usually making imports at least 25% higher than domestic models. This same small part of the market share also includes VW, Peugeot, BMW, and every other non-Japanese company in the world. Are we to expect that none of these companies produce cars which are appealing to the Japanese? One of the greatest appealing features of any car is the window sticker price, which is never appealing when read in the window of an imported car sold in Japan.

It is because Japan has been thoroughly dishonest in matters like this that they cannot be trusted to uphold their end of any trade agreement. I now hope that Japan is quickly shown the door in future trade negotiations.

One that benefits the 1% at the expense of the 99%?

The top 1% in Japan hold much more power than the top 1% in other industrialized countries. They control everything from the elected politicians to the unelected permanent bureaucracy, to the BOJ, to the public schools and universities. Who does the 700% tariff on rice benefit? The 1% of Japanese who are rice farmers? Japan Agriculture, which has a lock-stock-and-barrel hold on the distribution of seeds, fertilizer and insecticides?

This total control over trades and industries is not restricted to agriculture, and in places where overt control is not possible, it is maintained through collusion and backroom deals. Such practices are punished in Europe and America by the breaking apart of such entities, and lengthy prison sentences for those who are caught.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

Not sure if it was the price only, how many certified dealers and repair-shops exist.

Yes you can find some ford dealers in the big towns for the rest ... Crickets chirping.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

sangetsu you nailed it!

Japans non-tariff barriers are HUGE & prevalent everywhere if your paying attention!

Japan only ALLOWS some imports in relatively freely, take grapefruits, Japan doesn't grow them so you can find imports in stores, but when it comes to apples Japan throws up all kinds of non-tariff barriers, THAT is what Japan does!

But Japan is in decline & her power is fading rather quickly, NOW is the time for the rest of the world to tell Japan to change or pay the price, Japan has gotten away with this for decades, needs to end, we in Japan pay TOO MUCH for too many things, its a crime what J-govt & J-industry has & is doing to Japanese............. but like I have said many a time, until the average Japanese raises a stink then the locals will continue to be fleeced!!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

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