OTHER NEWS - April 10, 1992

Japanese Cabinet OKs Rice Imports Stand: The Cabinet approved a report that urged Japan to continue its ban on rice imports, despite pressure in international trade talks. The report by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said Japan “must remain self-sufficient in rice.” Negotiators in the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade talks are considering a proposal that would convert all agricultural import bans to tariffs. “Comprehensive tariffication . . . is unacceptable,” the report said. It added that Japan “must make every effort” to make its view understood in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade negotiations.