The U.S. and Japanese governments announced July 5 the 2008 Report to Leaders of the U.S.-Japan Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative.
This is the seventh Report to Leaders under the U.S.-Japan Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative, and the report reflects progress by the two sides responsive to recommendations made in October 2007. The Initiative has been a key forum to promote practical measures to liberalize the economy, improve the business climate, and enhance opportunities for trade and commerce. Past reports to Leaders may be found on the USTR website.
The Initiative is a two-way dialogue between the Governments of the United States and Japan. Both Governments exchanged recommendations in October 2007, following which four Working Groups established under this Initiative met to discuss reform in key sectors and areas such as intellectual property, distribution and customs procedures, competition policy, trade and investment-related measures, consular affairs, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, commercial law, privatization of public entities, and telecommunications/communications. The High-Level Officials Group also met in May 2008 to advance progress on a range of issues raised under this Initiative.
Following the Working Group and High-Level meetings, this Report to the Leaders was prepared to record progress and detail measures to be taken in the future that respond to each Government’s recommendations.