[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 196 (Tuesday, October 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52826-52827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25674]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Request for Public Comment: Deregulation Measures in Japan

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Request for written comments regarding deregulation measures in 
Japan.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Government of the United States plans to submit to the 
Government of Japan comments regarding economic deregulation measures 
by the Government of Japan. The United States Trade Representative 
(USTR) solicits comments from interested parties regarding specific 
laws, regulations, or regulatory practices in Japan, the removal or 
modification of which would improve market access for United States 
products or services.

DATES: Comments are due on or before noon on October 18, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Office of the United States Trade Representative, 600 17th 
Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20508.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
 Byron Sigel, Director for Japanese Affairs, (202) 395-5070, or Joanna 
McIntosh, Assistant General Counsel, (202) 395-7203.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 31, 1996, the Government of Japan 
published revisions to its 1995 Deregulation Action Plan. The 
Government of Japan intends to announce further revisions to this 
Action Plan next spring.
    Prior to the announcement of the revisions in March 1996, the 
United States Government held several consultations with the Government 
of Japan regarding deregulation and competition policy issues. On 
November 21, 1995, the Government of the United States, under the 
coordination of the Office of the United States Trade Representative, 
submitted to the Government of Japan specific written comments 
regarding the deregulation process, competition policy issues, 
administrative reform process, and specific suggestions for 
deregulation measures. The comments submitted by the Government of the 
United States are available for public inspection and copying in the 
USTR Reading Room: Room 101, Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, 600 17th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20506. An 
appointment to review the comments may be made by calling Brenda Webb 
(202) 395-6186. The USTR Reading Room is open to the public from 10 
a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The list 
of issues raised in the comments is provided in the attached appendix.
    The Government of the United States plans to consult further with 
the Government of Japan regarding the measures announced last spring as 
well as additional deregulation and competition policy measures and 
issues. The Government of the United States plans to submit to the 
Government of Japan further specific comments addressing these areas.

Request for Public Comment

    Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
specific laws, regulations, or regulatory practices in Japan, the 
removal or modification of which would improve market access for United 
States products or services. Comments need not be limited to the 
sectors covered by the deregulation measures previously announced by 
the Government of Japan or commented on by the United States 
Government, but may address any sector. Comments should identify and 
explain the laws, regulations, and regulatory practices in sufficient 
detail to allow a full understanding of the regulatory issues and 
market access concerns.
    In addition to comments regarding specific laws, regulations, or 
regulatory practices, USTR is interested in receiving comments from 
interested persons regarding regulatory processes and procedures, for 
example regarding transparency or review of administrative actions, 
which affect market access. USTR also solicits comments regarding the 
specific experiences and suggestions of interested parties with respect 
competition laws and policies and their enforcement in Japan, as well 
as other laws and policies which may facilitate or tolerate 
anticompetitive conduct.

[[Page 52827]]

    Comments are due no later than noon on October 18, 1996. Comments 
must be in English and provided in twenty copies to: Byron Sigel, Room 
322, USTR, 600 17th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20506.
    Comments will be placed in a file open to public inspection, except 
confidential business information. Parties requesting that confidential 
business information they submit be exempt from disclosure must mark 
the confidential business information in the same manner as described 
in 15 CFR Sec. 2006.15(b), i.e., it must be clearly marked ``BUSINESS 
CONFIDENTIAL'' in contrasting color ink at the top of each page on each 
of 20 copies, and must be accompanied by a nonconfidential summary of 
the confidential information. The nonconfidential summary will be 
placed in the file that is open to public inspection.

Appendix--List of Previously Raised Issues Specific Deregulation 
Proposals

A. Agriculture
    1. Phytosanitary Quarantine Restrictions
    2. Food Additives/Product Standards
    3. Feedgrains
    4. Racehorses
    5. Wood Products
B. Automotive and Motorcycles
    1. Automotive
    2. Motorcycles
C. Construction
    1. ``Common Specifications'' (Kyotsu Shiyosho)
    2. Standards
    3. Product Testing
    4. Product Approval/Certification Organs
    5. Better Living Mark
    6. T-Mark Regulations
    7. Requirements and Regulations
    8. Licensing
    9. Study Committees
    10. Multi-story and Multi-family Residential Units
    11. Working Visas
    12. Procurement Procedures for Construction-related Contracts
D. Distribution-related
    1. Import Processing
    2. Standards and Certification
    3. Distribution and Wholesaling
    4. Retail Distribution
    5. Liquor Distribution
    6. Premiums and Sales Promotions
E. Energy Production and Delivery
    1. Electrical Equipment
    2. Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution
    3. Petroleum and Related Products, and Natural Gas
F. Insurance and Financial Services
    1. Insurance
    2. Financial Services
G. Investment
    1. Access to Land and Facilities
    2. Investment Deregulation
    3. Employment Policies
    4. Mergers and Acquisition
H. Legal Services
I. Medical/Pharmaceuticals
    1. Reimbursement Approval Process
    2. Clinical Investigation
    3. Product Approval
    4. Gamma Sterilization
    5. Electronic Beam Sterilization
    6. Sterility Assurance
    7. Material Information/Foreign Data
    8. Combination of Medical Device Kit
    9. Transfer of Import Approval/Import License
    10. Business Office Issues
    11. Pharmaceuticals Included in Disposable Medical Device Kits
    12. Product Dimensions in Applications for Approval
    13. Soft Contact Lens Disinfection Method
J. Redemption Game Machines
K. Telecommunications
    1. Market Entry/Rate Regulation
    2. Interconnection
    3. Transparency
    4. Cable TV
L. Transportation
    1. Freight Transportation
    2. Maritime
    3. Aircraft/Airports

Adminsitrative Reform Proposals

A. Information Disclosure and Retention
B. Advisory Committees and Study Groups
C. Industry Associations
D. Administrative Regulations and Procedures
E. Review of Administrative Actions

Competition Policy Proposals

A. Strengthen the Structure and Organization of the JFTC
B. Enhance the JFTC's Investigatory and Enforcement Powers
C. Prevent Anticompetitive Practices by trade Associations
D. Strengthen Coordination Between the JFTC and Other Ministries on 
Proposed Administrative Guidance
E. Eliminate Antimonopoly Exemptions
F. Increase Efforts to Eliminate Dango
G. Eliminate International Contract Notification Requirements
H. Include Private Remedies Against Antimonopoly Violators
Byron Sigel,
Director for Japanese Affairs.
[FR Doc. 96-25674 Filed 10-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-01-M