US calls on Japan to Bolster Regulatory Reform

On October 14, 2004, the United States Trade Representative presented extensive reform recommendations to the Japanese Government. These recommendations are to help Japan's growth and to open markets for US companies. They go along with the previous progress achieved of regulations in Japan. This includes lowered customs processing fees at Japan airports for express deliveries, reduce cellular rates, and increases consumer choice in pharmaceuticals. The representative stated, "successful regulatory and structural reform is key to achieving that."
The recommendations that were presented included subjects as information technologies that will help strengthen protection and to implement measures to stop online piracy of digital content, remove barriers to e-commerce and advance the security of online transactions, and to improve market access. Telecommunications is to make rates of this kind more competitive, make the wireless licensing regime more flexible, transparent, and reliant on objective regulatory criteria. The medical devises will advance these products to become available at a quicker rate and to stimulate innovation through pricing reforms. Japan's Prime Minister is working on a plan to privatize Japan's postal businesses for fair competition in banking, insurance and express delivery sectors. The working groups will meet this fall to consider the reform proposals. They will be followed by a deputies level meeting next year.



http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2004/October/United_States_Calls_on_Japan_to_Bolster_Regulatory_Reform_Submits_Far-Reaching_Recommendations.html