Memorandum between Japan and China on Trade Friction regarding Agricultural Products (long onions (allium fistulosum), fresh shiitake mushrooms, and rushes for tatami mats)


On December 21, Mr. Takeo Hiranuma, Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Tsutomu Takebe, Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, and Mr. Shi Guangsheng, Minister for Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of China, consulted on trade friction issues regarding three agricultural products (long onions (allium fistulosum), fresh shiitake mushrooms, and rushes for tatami mats) and reached the following common understanding.

1. The Japanese side decided not to take firm safeguard measures on three agricultural products (long onions (allium fistulosum), fresh shiitake mushrooms, and rushes for tatami mats).

2. The Chinese side decided to eliminate additional measures to levy a special tax of 100 percent on three products which are made in Japan (automobiles, cellular and car phones, and air-conditioners).

3. Through both the official and the private routes, both sides will study and strengthen cooperation regarding the trade of agricultural produce between the two countries, based upon the present agreement.
Both sides will establish a trade scheme for the three agricultural items and promote orderly trade. The two governments will strengthen their cooperation, actively exchange information, strengthen guidance over the agricultural industry, maintain normal trade, impose strict control on illegal trade, and conduct consultations when necessary.
At the same time, private organizations of the two sides will establish a council for the trade of agricultural products with the participation of producers and others, with a view to exchanging information on market demand, quality of products, production amounts, prices, etc., from a clear grasp of production, demand and trade, making efforts to raise quality, and encouraging the sound development of the planting, production and trade of agricultural produce of the two countries.
Until the council is established, both sides will do their utmost to secure orderly trade in the three items.