Statement of Japan at Negotiating Group on Rules: Informal open-ended meeting on Anti-Dumping

Statement of Japan at Negotiating Group on Rules: Informal open-ended meeting on Anti-Dumping

Statement by Ambassador Ichiro FUJISAKI
Statement of Japan on the open-ended meeting (Final)

Geneva, 15 February 2008
Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva

1. Thank you Mr. Chairman,

We appreciate your summary of discussions this week.

As intended by the Chair himself, the text got people’s attention and a lot of discussion.

Members stated their views over the past three meetings as well as in documents.

As you have stated, there have been sharp differences.

We think, Mr. Chairman, that you now have enough material for your consideration for core issues.

2, We support the bottom-up approach we are engaged in today in this organization. 

That, in essence, is that the Chair provide a basis for negotiations in the form of a draft, and reflect the discussions that follow in the form of working documents, corrigendum, or revised papers.

In controversial areas, chairs present different views inside brackets in order to provide a basis for negotiations.

This is what is done in other groups.

3. “Zeroing”, as well as several other issues, was particularly controversial.

We think your next text should reflect the differing views in these areas. 

In the interest of fairness, we are ready to see such a new text reflecting the different views, even on the issues where we are already comfortable, or close to it. 

We think that the Chair should not hold on to a single text claiming that the whole text is in brackets or is balanced. 

4. We would like to see a balanced text before we go into a horizontal discussion.

There is an argument that by discussing this issue, we may load too many cargoes on to the verge. On the contrary, lots of us may find comfort if the text will be revised and feel not necessary to overburden the process.

Please tell us in this meeting that you will launch such an attempt.

We seek a clear commitment from you Mr. Chairman.

All of us will help you in your endeavor.

Thank you.