Japan aims to build a new image at APEC<\/p>\n
By Eugene Moosa<\/p>\n
TOKYO (Reuter): Japan seems to have only one goal at the 18-
\nmember Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum later this
\nweek -- to shed its image as a fence-sitter in efforts to build a
\nfree trade zone in the region.<\/p>\n
Japan's ambassador to APEC, Tetsuya Endo, and other senior
\nofficials of the Foreign Ministry in briefings ahead of the
\nmeeting have said Japan's goal is to foster regional
\nliberalization of trade and investment. But they cautiously avoid
\ndiscussing dates.<\/p>\n
\"We will act as fast as possible on trade and investment
\nliberalization,\" a senior Foreign Ministry official told a
\nbriefing. \"But by 'fast' we do not mean 'hastily'.\"<\/p>\n
An APEC panel of economists and academics has recommended that
\nthe region liberalize trade and investment by 2020, with the
\nindustrialized countries taking the lead by 2010.<\/p>\n
That will be the focus of the ministerial meeting on Nov. 11
\nand 12 in Jakarta and at the summit of the APEC forum on Nov. 15
\nat nearby Bogor.<\/p>\n
Trade Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, Foreign Minister Yohei Kono
\nand Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama will attend the meetings.<\/p>\n
Other topics include human resources development, a unified
\ncode for investment, aid for developing countries and
\nenvironmental issues.<\/p>\n
APEC groups Australia, the United States, Canada, Mexico,
\nJapan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, Brunei,
\nthe Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Papua New Guinea
\nand New Zealand. Chile becomes a member at Bogor.<\/p>\n
\"We are not necessarily fence-sitting. Our main goal is to
\nhelp hosts Indonesia achieve a consensus within APEC on the free-
\ntrade deadline and other matters,\" another senior ministry
\nofficial said. \"But we must try to get rid of this image.\"<\/p>\n
Other Tokyo officials were fighting a rear-guard action
\nagainst Japanese media reports which said Japan was simply
\nreluctant to accept a deadline.<\/p>\n
A Foreign Ministry spokesman at a regular news conference
\ndenied a Japanese news report from Jakarta which claimed Japan,
\nalong with Malaysia, was unhappy about the timing of the free-
\ntrade zone in a draft summit declaration.<\/p>\n
\"The report was written without reflecting our position,\" the
\nspokesman said.<\/p>\n
One of the thorniest issues is Japan's heavily protected rice
\nfarmers. The Agriculture Ministry has opposed moves to liberalize
\nrice imports. Japan grudgingly agreed to partially lift a blanket
\nban on rice imports in last year's Uruguay Round of multilateral
\ntrade talks.<\/p>\n
The characteristically careful approach has invited even the
\ndomestic media, normally complacent on trade issues, to criticize
\nthe government for dilly-dallying.<\/p>\n
\"Through its own actions, Japan must be responsible for the
\nstable development of APEC,\" the Asahi Shimbun said in an
\neditorial, \"and not only by playing a bridging role between East
\nAsian countries now frequently at odds with the United States.<\/p>\n
\"Japan must become a major importing country, and at the same
\ntime truly help the development of East Asian countries. This is
\nthe only way to earn trust from Asian neighbors and bolster
\nAPEC.\"<\/p>\n
One of the excuses for Japan not taking a lead role in the
\nAPEC forum at Jakarta is that next year Japan will host the APEC
\nministerial and summit meetings in Osaka.<\/p>\n
\"We will be hosts next year and therefore our biggest theme
\nthis year is to help build a consensus,\" APEC ambassador Endo
\nsaid. \"Japan must act as a coordinator.\"<\/p>\n
But some lawmakers in Murayama's ruling coalition admitted
\nthere was a lack of concrete goals about Japan's role in APEC.<\/p>\n
\"I don't think we have a clear idea what we're doing at APEC,\"
\none lawmaker said. \"If we have to accept a deadline, why isn't
\nthere any talk about rice? I don't think Mr. Murayama can show a
\nstrong performance in Indonesia.\"<\/p>",
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