Japan to Impose Restriction on Some Chinese Farm ProductsRelated Japanese departments have decided to adopt emergency measures for restriction on the import of Chinese onions, mushrooms and rush plants in the period from April 23 to November 8.According to a plan, during the 200 restriction days, Japan will boost the price of the three kinds of agricultural products imported from China to the level equal to domestic retailed price by raising tariffs. On the basis of the average import amounts from 1997 to 1999, the current 3-6 percent import tariff will be imposed on goods equivalent to the average amount within the 200 days, and a 106-266 percent tariff will be levied on that portion that exceeds the average import amount. Some Japanese government departments and officials originally hesitated to implement the emergency import restrictions, but compelled by political pressure they had to agree finally. Due to the selection of House of Councilors this July, the Liberal Democratic Party, nicknamed as "Farmer's Party", hopes to keep the countryside as the largest "field of votes". Japan's media also keeps reservations about the sanctions, thinking that the move will sacrifice urban consumers' interests. What's more, most of the three agricultural products are produced and exported by Chinese farmers who are entrusted with the task by Japanese enterprises, to a large extent, it is a contention between Japanese enterprises for interests. The overly-high cost of Japanese vegetables and other farm products is the crucial factor for the loss of their competitiveness. By PD Online staff member Li Yan |
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