Japan’s privatisation scale back prompts international talks

Japan, the US, and the EU will hold talks on 21 May in Geneva to discuss “level playing field concerns” regarding anticipated changes to Tokyo’s postal privatisation plans, reports Kyodo. The decision was confirmed by the Office of the US Trade Representative.

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Michael Punke, US ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), John Clarke, charge d’affaires of the EU, and Japanese WTO ambassador Shinichi Kitajima, will discuss the matter in relation to Japan’s obligations with the world trade body, the USTR said.

The USTR is expected to express strong concern about a planned bill to scale back the privatisation of Japan Post, with an eye to filing a suit with the WTO, possibly leading to new trade friction between Japan, the EU and the United States, sources said.

It will be the first WTO ambassador-level talks on the revision of Japan’s postal privatisation by the government of prime minister Yukio Hatoyama.