6 November 1997: During recent talks in Tokyo, aimed particularly at resolving problems related to the reported difficulties of US flat glass producers in entering the Japanese market (see “Weekly Wor…
6 November 1997: During recent talks in Tokyo, aimed particularly at resolving problems related to the reported difficulties of US flat glass producers in entering the Japanese market (see “Weekly World News” stories on 9 and 30 October), Japan“s Fair Trade Commission (FTC) responded to US invitations to monitor the distribution network by saying that there is no indication that anti-monopoly laws have been violated. According to US flat glass representatives, the three major Japanese flat glass manufacturers control wholesalers by holding reserves for dishonoured bills, and are thus in a position to hinder imports. The United States delegation also claimed that Tokyo has not fully complied with the 1995 trade agreement and that Japanese-affiliated companies play a major role in flat glass exports to Japan from the United States. The Japanese negotiators responded that the nation“s flat glass distribution system poses no problem for US companies. The Tokyo meeting failed to find a solution to the dispute and the issue will be carried over to the next meeting, scheduled for spring 1998.