High-Level Officials Group Meeting under the “Japan-U.S. Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative”

May 16, 2008

High-Level Officials Group Meeting under the “Japan-US Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative” (Japan-U.S. Regulatory Reform Initiative) will be held in Washington, D.C., on May 19 (Mon) (local time).
Mr. Masaharu Kono, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, will attend from the Japanese side as a co-chairman, as well as representatives of the ministries and agencies concerned; and from the U.S. side, Ambassador John K. Veroneau, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative, as a co-chairman, and representatives of the departments and agencies concerned, will attend.
The Japan-U.S. Regulatory Reform Initiative is one of the forums established under the “U.S.-Japan Economic Partnership for Growth,” which was announced at the Japan-U.S. summit meeting in June 2001. Based on consultations in each Working Group and High-Level Officials Group meeting, the two governments compile an annual report to the leaders of the two countries.
In the High-Level Officials Group meeting, both governments will exchange views on regulatory reform of the two countries based on the recommendations presented to each other, following upon the results of each Working Group meeting.

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