US calls for more transparency in privatization of Japan Post
The United States raised concern about the transparency of the privatization of Japan Post, the giant postal service that also provides banking and insurance services.
But US Trade Representative (USTR) Susan Schwab said new measures undertaken by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government would help further open markets, encourage new business opportunities and stimulate competition.
The USTR published the sixth annual joint report prepared by the US and Japanese governments under the US-Japan Regulatory Reform and Competition Policy Initiative.
Highlights of the joint report, which reflects a range of measures that Japan has either taken in recent months or will take in the near term, include the streamlining of import procedures for certain agricultural and other products as well as further opening Japan to foreign investment.
Other steps include increasing transparency of regulatory and policy decision making in sectors ranging from healthcare to information technology and strengthening protections against anti-competitive acts.
The report also incorporated new measures Japan has taken in response to US recommendations on the importance of creating a level playing field in the privatization of Japan Post with private companies in the banking, insurance and express delivery sectors.
