8 April 1999: Japan is ready to accept the US government“s proposal for launching a forum of government and industry officials to discuss Japan“s flat glass market, Japanese government sources said …
8 April 1999: Japan is ready to accept the US government“s proposal for launching a forum of government and industry officials to discuss Japan“s flat glass market, Japanese government sources said Saturday. Frustrated at foreign firms“ slow penetration into Japan“s flat glass market, the US government in February called for introducing such a meeting. Japan“s acceptance reflects its hope to calm the situation as Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi is scheduled to visit the United States in early May. Japan will formally convey its position to the US at upcoming bureau chief-level talks, the sources said. While the US administration of President Bill Clinton has made an issue of the closed nature of the Japanese flat glass market, Congress is also heating up its criticism of Japan, as instanced by the Senate“s recent demand for Japanese government officials to testify before a public hearing at a congressional committee. The Japanese government is concerned that the trade issue may develop into a political problem, with Obuchi“s visit approaching. But it is uncertain whether the US will soften its stance with Japan“s acceptance of the joint government-industry meeting, which is not high on its list of demands. Tokyo and Washington set up a similar body on semiconductor trade after a bilateral trade agreement expired in July 1996.