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Eighth Japan-EU Ministerial Meeting (October 12, 1998; Iikura House)

October 12, 1998

I. Japan-EU Ministerial Meeting

1. Participants

(The Japanese delegation was the largest ever.)

  • Participants on the Japanese side: Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura, Minister of International Trade and Industry Kaoru Yosano, Director General of the Economic Planning Agency Taichi Sakaiya, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Seiko Noda, Minister of Justice Shozaburo Nakamura, Minister for Home Affairs and Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission Mamoru Nishida, Director General of the Environment Agency Kenji Manabe, Parliamentary State Secretary of Finance Mahito Nakajima, Deputy Minister for International Affairs Hideaki Kumazawa of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, others (The participation of seven ministers was the largest ever.)
  • Participants on the EU side: European Commission Vice-President Sir Leon Brittan (in charge of external economic relations), Commissioner Martin Bangemann (in charge of industrial affairs and information and telecommunications technologies), Commissioner Anita Gradin (in charge of immigration, justice, and border crime), others

2. Japan-EU Economic Relations

(1) EU economy: The Japanese side requested that macroeconomic management, including the introduction of the euro, be carried out in proper consideration of the economic situation in regions outside the EU so as to benefit the international community as a whole.

(2) Japanese economy: The EU side expressed its support of measures to resuscitate the Japanese economy, including financial system stabilization measures. It also expressed expectations for structural reform (deregulation).

(3) Trade and investment: The EU side referred to such issues as leather, film, slots at Narita Airport, ports, the investor protection fund problem, and government procurement.

3. Japan-EU Cooperation

(1) Deregulation: Both sides confirmed the continuation of a two-way dialogue. Each side also submitted a deregulation request list.

(2) Mutual recognition agreement (MRA): The two sides agreed and confirmed a framework for four priority fields (electrical products, radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment, good manufacturing practice (GMP) for pharmaceutical products, and good laboratory practice (GLP) for chemical products). They agreed to energetically promote work toward the conclusion of international promises. However, the EU side stuck to the deadline for negotiations of December 1.

(3) Specific cooperation: Close consultations will be held from now on concerning such issues as electronic commerce, the Y2K problem, international crime, and narcotics. The dialogue between business circles will also be enhanced. Regarding environmental problems, the Japanese side explained its promotion of exhaust gas regulations and global warming countermeasures.

4. International Economic Situation

Cooperation in the World Trade Organization: The two sides agreed to hold Japan-EU consultations on specific issues prior to the opening of a new round of trade liberalization negotiations. They also affirmed utilization of the Asia-Europe Meeting process to promote the participation of Asian countries in negotiations.

II. Separate Meetings

1. Courtesy Call on the Prime Minister by European Commission Vice President Brittan (about 25 minutes)

(1) Japan-EU dialogue: The two sides confirmed the further expansion of the dialogue into various fields, including political and cultural.

(2) Japanese economy: The EU side expressed support for Japan's financial stabilization bills, economic-stimulus measures, and tax-cut measures.

(3) WTO: The EU side requested Japan-EU cooperation and cooperation through the ASEM. The prime minister agreed.

(4) Introduction of the euro: The prime minister requested that the EU should not become closed.

2. Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Koumura and Vice-President Brittan (about 35 minutes)

(1) Deregulation: The two sides agreed to promote two-way deregulation.

(2) MRA: The EU side stuck to the deadline of December for reaching an agreement in negotiations.

(3) WTO: (Same as courtesy call on prime minister)

III. Points

1. On the Japanese side, the participation of seven ministers (plus one State Secretary) was the largest ever.

--> With the upcoming introduction of the euro, Japan has a strong interest in the EU, which will account for an important part of the international economic and financial regimes from now on.

--> Discussions were wide-ranging, including such issues as electronic commerce, international crime, and the environment.

2. Regarding the present condition of the Japanese economy, the EU side expressed understanding and support for Japan's economic recovery measures.

--> There was absolutely no sign of Japan being pressured by the EU side to achieve early economic recovery. The EU side seemed to show confidence about the generally favorable economic conditions in Europe.

3. The EU side emphasized that deregulation was also important for the recovery of the Japanese economy.

--> Each side submitted a list of deregulation requests (about 200 items from the EU side, 28 items from the Japanese side to be supplemented later).

--> In comparison with the United States, the EU side emphasized its approach of making a cooperative and sincere response.

4. The two sides shared recognition of the need to accelerate work on MRA.

--> The EU side stuck to the setting of a deadline for negotiations.

--> The Japanese side insisted that setting a deadline was premature, because in addition to the conclusion of international agreements there would be work on the revision of related domestic laws.
The EU side emphasized the telecommunications business. Together with the setting of a deadline for the conclusion of negotiations, they pressured the Japanese side on this point.

5. Prior to the WTO's next round of liberalization talks, the EU side stated the importance of consolidating common positions between Japan and the EU as much as possible before the start of the negotiations.

--> The EU side proposed consultations regarding the WTO between Japan and the EU.

--> The EU side proposed calling on the Asian countries through such forums as the ASEM.

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