Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Appointment of Prof. Yasuhei Taniguchi, Professor Emeritus of Kyoto University and Incumbent Professor of Tokyo Keizai University

May 25, 2000

The Government of Japan welcomes the fact that at a special meeting of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body held in Geneva on May 25, Prof. Yasuhei Taniguchi, Professor of Tokyo Keizai University, was officially appointed with consensus as a member of the Appellate Body.
Prof. Taniguchi has been appointed for his excellent career record and ability, after passing a rigid and fair screening, to succeed Mr. Christopher Beeby of New Zealand, who died on March 19 this year. Prof. Taniguchi will be the second Japanese to be a member of the Appellate Body following Prof. Mitsuo Matsushita, who completed his term of the office in March.
The WTO Appellate Body, consisting of seven members elected for their personal abilities, plays a very important role in the WTO. When a case is brought to the WTO Dispute Settlement mechanism and a Member country is dissatisfied with the resolution made by the panel and makes an appeal, this Body gives the final judgment. Japan has great expectations of Professor Taniguchi's future contributions.

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