Japan, EU meet for regulatory reform dialogue

Japanese and European Union (EU) officials met here today for regulatory reform dialogue, with the European Union increasing pressure on Japan to improve business environment for companies from the 27-member economic bloc by reducing non-tariff barriers.

The EU has said that participation by their firms is hindered by "lack of transparency" in the Japanese system. It has demanded that the Japanese government continue to commit to opening some services to competition as Japan intends to review its postal privatisation process launched in 2007.

A "level playing field" between Japan Post entities and service providers outside the country has been called for, along with more English translation of related legislation.

Japan has been urged to resume EU beef imports which were banned due to fear of mad cow disease.

The EU said the import ban is discriminatory as Japan has resumed imports of beef from the US and Canada, and that EU firms do a good job of controlling certain risks for the disease.

The Japan-EU Regulatory Reform Dialogue, launched in 1994, is held twice a year.

The latest meeting revolved around a set of proposals made by the EU side, which urged easing of Japanese regulations on investments, participation in public procurement and domestic use of vehicles and medical devices made in the union.

The dialogue came as Japan and the European Union have been struggling to make headway in potential free trade talks.