Section 304 Determinations: Barriers to Access to the Japanese Market for Consumer Photographic Film and Paper

요약

On June 13, 1996, the Acting United States Trade Representative (USTR) determined, pursuant to section 304(a)(1)(A) of the Trade Act of 1974, 19 U.S.C. 2414, (the Trade Act) that certain acts, policies, and practices of the Government of Japan with respect to the sale and distribution of consumer photographic materials in Japan are unreasonable and burden or restrict U.S. commerce. Specifically, the USTR found that the Government of Japan established and tolerated a market structure that impedes U.S. exports of consumer photographic materials to Japan, and in which practices occur that also impede U.S. exports of these products to Japan, thereby denying fair and equitable market opportunities. The USTR also concluded that there is reason to believe based on strong evidence that certain Japanese Government liberalization countermeasures, including inter alia, distribution guidelines and related measures, the Law Pertaining to Adjustment of Business Activities of the Retail Industry for Large Scale Retail Stores (LSRS Law) and the Law Against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations (Premiums Law) contravene Japan's obligations under the Multilateral Trade Agreements ann