[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H5490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    UNITED STATES-JAPAN AUTO DISPUTE

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, as the New York Times recently reported, it 
is a steep, nearly insurmountable uphill journey to Japan for United 
States autos and auto parts. It is also an expensive journey, as rigged 
prices in Japan serve as significant nontariff barriers to higher sales 
of our goods in that country.
  In my hometown of Toledo, OH, the world-renowned Jeep Cherokee is 
manufactured having a factory price of $19,100. By the time that Jeep 
Cherokee clears customs, passes through Japan's Byzantine distribution 
system, is checked for compliance with 238 regulations and is inspected 
in no less than 3 places, the sticker price of the same Jeep Cherokee 
in Nagoya is $31,372, a 52-percent markup.
  Japan claims to be one of the world's greatest competitors. This 
label seems to be true in every market except their own. The Clinton 
administration is right to keep its foot on the accelerator of the 
unfair trade practices of Japan.
  Open up your market, Japan. It is long overdue.

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