Japanese Measures On Leather

Japanese measures on leather in Global Commerce Policy

In this regard, japanese measures on leather is: a case launched under the GATT in 1983 by the United States. The case was preceded by two earlier ones which, however, did not run the full course of the dispute settlement process. The first, initiated by the United States in 1978, ended in a bilateral understanding allocating increased import quotas for leather to the United States. The second case, launched by Canada in 1979, was similarly settled amicably. By 1983 the United States had come to view that the understanding of 1978 was of little value in achieving larger exports of leather to Japan, and it launched another case. The facts were that Japan maintained import restrictions on bovine, equine, sheep, lamb, goat and kid leather. The entries on trade policy are here. Importers had to obtain import licences. The Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) allocated the global leather quota by way of two methods: (i) the “trader” quota formula based on import records available to selected firms which had a history of importing, and (ii) the “user” quota formula which gave quotas to selected end-users and/or firms that represented them. The licensing system applied only to wet-blue chrome and finished leather. Japan explained the historical, cultural and socio-economic background of the “Dowa problem”. The Dowa are a national minority traditionally performing jobs considered less desirable. Japan noted that they were a product of its feudal society before the Meiji Reformation (1868). The people of Dowa districts had been, as an established social institution, classified as being outside and below the hierarchy of samurais, peasants, artisans and merchants. They also had been subjected to severe institutional discrimination in all aspects of social life. Since 1871, the Japanese Government had initiated various measures to emancipate them, although the elimination of poverty still had a long way to go. Likewise, Japan submitted, psychological discrimination in Japanese society at large still existed, though this was now reduced to a large extent. The Japanese tanning industry, traditionally an occupation of Dowa people, employed about 12,000 people in small, backward enterprises. The entries on trade policy are here. Its low technological level made it uncompetitive. Japan claimed that if the import restrictions on leather were eliminated immediately, the industry would collapse with “unmeasurable social, regional-economic and political problems”. The entries on trade policy are here. In making its findings, the panel noted that the United States approach was based essentially on legal arguments, whereas Japan’s case rested almost entirely on considerations resulting from the particular problems connected with the population group known as the Dowa people. The panel said that it could not take into account the special circumstances mentioned by Japan since its terms of reference were to examine the matter “in the light of the relevant GATT provisions”. These provisions did not allow such a justification for import restrictions. The entries on trade policy are here. Accordingly, it found that the Japanese import restrictions on leather contravened GATT Article XI (General Elimination of Quantitative Restrictions). The fact that the restrictions had existed for a long time could not alter this finding. The panel also considered that the trade figures made available to it showed that there had been nullification or impairment of the benefits the United States could expect. The panel recommended that Japan eliminate its quantitative restrictions on the imports of products listed in the United States complaint. See also Belgian family allowances for another case dealing with social issues.[1]

Japanese measures on leatherin the wold Encyclopedia

For an introductory overview on international trade policy, see this entry.

Resources

Notes and References

1. Dictionary of Trade Policy, “Japanese measures on leather” entry (OAS)

See Also