[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 88 Referred in House (RFH)]







105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 88




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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 17, 1998

              Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Calling on Japan to have an open, competitive market for consumer 
  photographic film and paper and other sectors facing market access 
                           barriers in Japan.

    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
Whereas the current financial crisis in Asia underscores the fact that the 
        health of the international economic system depends on open, competitive 
        markets;
Whereas structural reform in Japan is critical to the resolution of the Asian 
        financial crisis;
Whereas for many years the United States Trade Representative has reported to 
        Congress in the National Trade Estimate on numerous barriers to entering 
        and operating in the Japanese market;
Whereas Japan's restrictive policies deny opportunities to United States 
        companies and their workers seeking access to Japanese markets;
Whereas the United States Trade Representative has engaged over the last several 
        years in an intensive review of the Japanese distribution system;
Whereas on June 16, 1996, the United States Trade Representative found that the 
        Government of Japan created and tolerated a market structure that 
        impedes United States exports of consumer photographic film and paper;
Whereas the European Union has sought to remove these same barriers to 
        distribution that restrain European exports to Japan;
Whereas it is important that United States companies and workers not be 
        disadvantaged by other countries following Japan's model of protecting 
        its market through a closed distribution system and other market access 
        barriers;
Whereas the Government of Japan has consistently stated that it is committed to 
        deregulation, transparency, nondiscrimination, and open distribution 
        systems accompanied by vigorous enforcement of competition laws;
Whereas the Government of Japan stated in recent proceedings of the World Trade 
        Organization on consumer photographic film that it promotes distribution 
        policies that make the Japanese market more open to imports and to 
        actively discourage restrictive business practices; and
Whereas fulfilling these public statements would benefit both United States 
        trade and Japanese consumers, significantly raising the standard of 
        living in Japan: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That the Congress--
            (1) calls upon the Government of Japan to live up to the 
        standards it has set for open competitive markets;
            (2) calls upon the Government of Japan to fully support the 
        representations that it made to a dispute settlement panel of 
        the World Trade Organization regarding deregulation, 
        transparency, nondiscrimination, open distribution systems, and 
        vigorous enforcement of competition laws with respect to 
        consumer photographic film and paper as well as other sectors, 
        such as autos and auto parts, glass, paper and wood products, 
        and telecommunications, that face similar market access 
        barriers in Japan;
            (3) urges the President, the United States Trade 
        Representative, and other appropriate officers of the executive 
        branch to exercise fully existing authority to achieve these 
        objectives; and
            (4) requests the President to report to Congress, not later 
        than December 15, 1998, and not less frequently than every six 
        months thereafter, regarding access to Japanese markets for 
        consumer photographic film and paper.

            Passed the Senate July 16, 1998.

            Attest:

                                                    Gary Sisco,

                                                             Secretary.