March 23, 2012
Many of the 9 countries participating in negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement are calling for a removal of tariffs on 90-95% of items right after the free-trade pact comes into effect, which will threaten Japan’s job security, its fisheries industry, and its ability to recover from the 3.11 disaster.
The contents of negotiations came out in documents submitted by the government to the ruling Democratic Party’s project team on March 22.
According to these documents and to relevant ministries’ explanations, the 9 countries are considering setting up a “framework” to discuss “mutual recognition” of specific licenses and qualifications in addition to the abolition of tariffs.
A “mutual recognition” agreement in respect to professional qualifications will allow massive flows of foreign workers into Japan under the category of “specialists”, further aggravating the country’s job security.
The United States is proposing that governmental subsidies to fisheries industries be banned. If accepted, this will inflict a particularly heavy blow on Japanese fishermen and those who are still working hard to restore their fishery businesses in the disaster-stricken areas, northeastern Japan.
English may be required to be used as a common language in advertisements of tender for government procurements, opening a path for U.S. corporations in particular to enter into public purchase competition.
What is more, the United States is targeting state-owned firms with special privileges such as the postal services in Japan.
The contents of negotiations came out in documents submitted by the government to the ruling Democratic Party’s project team on March 22.
According to these documents and to relevant ministries’ explanations, the 9 countries are considering setting up a “framework” to discuss “mutual recognition” of specific licenses and qualifications in addition to the abolition of tariffs.
A “mutual recognition” agreement in respect to professional qualifications will allow massive flows of foreign workers into Japan under the category of “specialists”, further aggravating the country’s job security.
The United States is proposing that governmental subsidies to fisheries industries be banned. If accepted, this will inflict a particularly heavy blow on Japanese fishermen and those who are still working hard to restore their fishery businesses in the disaster-stricken areas, northeastern Japan.
English may be required to be used as a common language in advertisements of tender for government procurements, opening a path for U.S. corporations in particular to enter into public purchase competition.
What is more, the United States is targeting state-owned firms with special privileges such as the postal services in Japan.
