Japan
Concluding Remarks by the Chairperson of the Trade Policy Review Body, H.E. Mr. Harald Aspelund of Iceland at the Trade Policy Review of Japan, 6 and 8 July 2020.
Despite the COVID-19-related meeting constraints, the fourteenth Trade Policy Review of Japan has offered us a good opportunity to deepen our understanding of recent developments in, and challenges to, its trade, economic, and investment policies. Since its last TPR in 2017, Japan’s initiatives to maintain its position in the multilateral trading system and take advantage of the opportunities it offers have been greatly appreciated. Indeed, the about 753 advance written questions submitted by 32 Members and the 50 delegations that took the floor during the first and second day underline the importance attached by Members to Japan’s trade and investment policies and practices.
Preface
The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was first established on a trial basis by the GATT CONTRACTING PARTIES in April 1989. The Mechanism became a permanent feature of the World Trade Organization under the Marrakesh Agreement which established the WTO in January 1995.
Report by the WTO Secretariat
Since Japan’s previous Trade Policy Review in 2011, there has been little change in its trade and related policies. Nonetheless, the simple average MFN applied tariff rate has increased, due partly to a rise in the average ad valorem equivalents of non-ad valorem duties. Also, Japan has adopted more international standards.
The Rise of the People’s Republic of China and Its Competition Effects on Innovation in Japan
As a reaction to import competition from low-wage economies, firms in developed economies would respond by upgrading their innovative activities, leading to so-called defensive skill-biased innovation. In this chapter, we examine this “defensive innovation” hypothesis, which was first discussed in Wood (1994) and subsequently formalized in Thoenig and Verdier (2003). In a broader context, the effect of competition on the rate of innovation has been one of the most studied areas in the literature (e.g., Aghion et al. 2005). In the study most relevant to our work, Bloom, Draca, and Van Reenen (2016) found that a large sample of European firms increased a wide range of their innovative activities (patenting, research and development [R&D] expenditures, computer use, and total factor productivity growth), driven by intensified competition from the People’s Republic of China. This innovation was conducted within-firm.
Introduction
The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was first established on a trial basis by the GATT contracting parties in April 1989. The Mechanism became a permanent feature of the World Trade Organization under the Marrakesh Agreement which established the WTO in January 1995.
Report by Japan
The Japanese economy, which had been in an expansionary phase since March 2009, was temporarily stagnated by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, mainly due to a sharp decline in production and private consumption. After that, the economy picked up as the supply chains of production activities were gradually re-established. In the first half of 2012, the Japanese economy was on the way to recovery at a moderate pace mainly driven by domestic demand including reconstruction demand, although it has sounded a weak tone recently due to the deceleration of the world economy. Regarding prices, the Japanese economy is in a mild deflationary phase, although the tempo of deflation has been slower.
Introduction
The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was first established on a trial basis by the GATT contracting parties in April 1989. The Mechanism became a permanent feature of the World Trade Organization under the Marrakesh Agreement which established the WTO in January 1995.
Estados Unidos - Medidas antidumping sobre determinados productos de acero laminado en caliente originarios del Japón
El 28 de febrero de 2001, la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Estados Unidos - Medidas antidumping sobre determinados productos de acero laminado en caliente originarios del Japón”.
European communities and certain member states - Measures affecting trade in large civil aircraft (Boeing - Airbus) - Recourse 2
On 2 December 2019 the WTO circulated the compliance panel report in the case brought by the European Union in “European Communities and Certain Member States - Measures Affecting Trade in Large Civil Aircraft - Recourse to Article 21.5 of the DSU by the EU” (DS316)
Japon - Droits compensateurs visant les mémoires RAM dynamiques en provenance de Corée
Le 13 juillet 2007, l’OMC a publié le rapport du Groupe spécial dans l’affaire “Japon - Droits compensateurs visant les mémoires RAM dynamiques en provenance de Corée”.
Estados Unidos - Medidas compensatorias sobre la madera blanda procedente del Canadá
El 24 de agosto de 2020, la OMC distribuyó el informe del Grupo Especial que entendió en la diferencia planteada por el Canadá, a saber, “Estados Unidos — Medidas compensatorias sobre la madera blanda procedente del Canadá” (DS533).
Brasil - Determinadas medidas relativas a la tributación y las cargas
El 13 de diciembre 2018, el Órgano de Apelación de la OMC emitió su informe sobre los asuntos planteados por la Unión Europea y el Japón “Brasil — Determinadas medidas relativas a la tributación y las cargas” (DS472 y DS497).
European Union - Cost Adjustment Methodologies and Certain Anti-Dumping Measures on Imports from Russia - (Second complaint)
On 24 July 2020 the WTO circulated the dispute panel report in the case brought by the Russian Federation in “European Union - Cost Adjustment Methodologies and Certain Anti-Dumping Measures on Imports from Russia - Second complaint)” (DS494).
Japón - Impuestos sobre las bebidas alcohólicas
El 11 de julio de 1996, la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Japón - Impuestos sobre las bebidas alcohólicas”.
Canadá - Determinadas medidas que afectan a la industria del automóvil
El 11 de febrero de 2000, la OMC hizo público el informe del Grupo especial sobre el caso “Canadá - Determinadas medidas que afectan a la industria del automóvil”.
Inde - Mesures liées aux exportations
Le 31 octobre 2019, l’OMC a distribué le rapport du Groupe spécial chargé d’examiner l’affaire introduite par les États-Unis “Inde — Mesures liées aux exportations” (DS541).