EN CLAIR
TOKYO
TO
TELNO 156
UNCLASSIFIED /NEUTRAL/
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
5 MARCH 1970
35
ADDSD TO F C O TEL NO 156 OF 5 MARCH 1970 RFI TO
WASHINGTON
тра
нико
opoul
7
UKDEL GENEVA, HONG KONG, SEOUL AND SAVING
TEXTILES. THE DEBATE IN JAP AN
TAM SUI. MY TEL NO 142.
HAS BEEN CONTINUING. THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY LOBBY, WITH
CONSIDERABLE PARLIAMENTARY SUPPORT, INCLUDING SOME
EIGHTY MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT PARTY, HAVE CONTINUED
TO OPPOSE ANY VOLUNTARY CONTROL ON EXPORTS OF TEXTILES
TO THE US MARKET. HOWEVER, THE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER
IN THE DIET HAS INDICATED THE NEED FOR SOME FORM OF
CONMPROMISE AND THE PRESS REPORTS THAT OFFICIAL DISCUSSIONS
WITH YOSHINO, MINISTER IN THE US EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON
WHO HAS BEEN IN TOKYO FOR CONSULTATIONS, HAVE CONCENTRATED ON
A POSSIBLE JAPANESE COUNTER PROPOSAL.
2. THE LATEST INDICATIONS ARE THAT A JAPANESE COUNTER PROPOSAL
MAY TAKE THE FORM OF A REQUEST TO THE UNITED STATES FOR
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT INJURY OR THREAT OF INJURY, NOT
OVER THE WHOLE RANGE OF 28 ITEMS LISTED BY THE US SIDE,
BUT CONFINED TO THOSE IN WHICH JAPAN'S SHARE OF US IMPORTS
IS HIGH AND IN WHICH IMPORTS FROM JAPAN HAVE INCREASED
PARTICULARLY FAST (OVER 50 PERCENT IN 1969 AS COMPARED
TO 1968).
ITEMS MENTIONED AS FALLING SPECIFICALLY IN THESE CATEGORIES
ARE KNITTED SUITS, MENS AND CHILDRENS SWEATERS, WOMENS
AND CHILDRENS SWEATERS AND BLOUSES MADE OF WOVEN FABRICS.
THERE ARE SAID TO BE SOME OTHERS WHICH MIGHT COME NEARLY INTO THESE CATEGORIES. HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD APPARENTLY ONLY CONSIDER THEM AS ITEMS CAUSING INJURY OR THREAT
OF INJURY IF PRODUCTION, EMPLOYMENT AND PROFIT IN THE US INDUSTRIES
CONCERNED HAD FALLEN.
13. OFFICIAL