Special Joint Task Force and Special Joint Working Group

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Special Joint Task Force and Special Joint Working Group

The following shows recent major projects, all of which produce a report or recommendations.

Forum on Harmonization of Patent Systems
Forum on Export Control
Forum on Biotechnology
The Commission on U.S.-Japan Relations for the Twenty First Century
Trade Composition Study
Japan-U.S. Global Environment Symposium
"Market Access Problem" Committee Follow-up Report
Special Joint Task Force
Electronic Commerce Committee

To Outline of Activities

Forum on Harmonization of Patent Systems (1988/7--1991/7)

The working group was formed by Japan-U.S. patent specialists, and made recommendations on improvement and harmonization of the Japanese and U.S. patent systems.
"Report of the Joint Task Force on U.S.-Japanese Patent System"

Forum on Export Control (1999/7--1991/7)

The project studied and made suggestions and proposals on how to limit the strategic products regulated by COCOM, and how to let non-COCOM countries participate in multilateral export control system.

Forum on Biotechnology (1988/7--1990/7)

The working group was formed to promote worldwide agreement on biotechnology and bio-tech products, and to harmonize government regulations.
The features of this working group were as follows.
a. The working group studied the future possible problems, not existing ones.
b. The group was supported by Japanese and U.S. governments and also non-member private companies.
c. Its activities involved European companies and it developed to become a tri-polar forum.
The forum reported on "Harmonization of the Scientific Principles and Procedures Underlying the Regulation related to Biotechnology".

The Commission on U.S.-Japan Relations for the Twenty First Century (1989/7--1991/12)

Separate commissions were formed in the U.S. and Japan to consider future relations.
The U.S. commission, largely comprising non-government people highly familiar with Japan, was charged with making recommendations to President Bush on the U.S.-Japan relationship in the 21st century. The Japanese commissions was largely made up of JUBC members.
The two commissions engaged in frank and active exchanges of opinion on a wide range of themes.
The U.S. commission eventually delivered its report and the Japanese commission made same recommendations based on that report.

Trade Composition Study (1990/7--1995/7)

At the time when the Japan-U.S. trade imbalance was a critical issue, this working group was formed to analyze the composition of trade between the two countries and to identify factors causing the imbalance.
A Progress Report was delivered at the 30th Japan-U.S. Business Conference, and the working group concluded its activities when it delivered its Final Report at the 32nd Japan-U.S. Business Conference.

Japan-U.S. Global Environment Symposium (1992/7)

The symposium was held before the 29th Japan-U.S. Business Conference, as part of the action program of the Global Environmental Working Group.

"Market Access Problem" Committee Follow-up Report (1993/2--1994/2)

In response to 34 action items proposed by an ACCJ White Paper, JUBC and USJBC delivered a report, Results of Individual Sector Analysis Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Market Access, in June 1993. The two councils subsequently issued a follow-up report on 17 of the 34 items in February 1994.

Special Joint Task Force (1994/7--)

Following the Joint Mission Statement that was agreed in February 1994, special task forces were proposed, to investigate six issues perceived as seriously affecting business between Japan and the U.S.

Asset Management:
This special task force was shelved when the Japanese and U.S. governments entered into an agreement covering the financial sector.
Both councils carefully monitored the status of the agreement.

Flat Glass:
After studying the content of a January 1995 U.S.-Japan Flat Glass Agreement to promote the use of insulating and safety glass, the special task force submitted its report to the 33rd Japan-U.S. Business Conference in 1996.
The glass industries have followed up since then through the Flat Glass Dialog.

Macroeconomics Policy and the Exchange Rate:
The special task force reported to the 32nd Japan-U.S. Business Conference, recognizing that macroeconomic policy was an important means to address the trade imbalance, and offering recommendations on measures to be taken by both governments.

Buy National Policy:
A Japanese special task force reviewed the Buy American policy, conducted a survey to determine its negative impact on business, and asked for changes in the policy as against the spirit of the WTO.

Success Stories:
A questionnaire was used as a tool to survey success stories and obstacles successful American and Japanese companies had encountered in their activities.
The results were released in April 1997.

Electronic Commerce Committee (1998/1--1999/7)

The 34th Japan-U.S. Business Conference, meeting in 1997, proposed electronic commerce, then growing fast worldwide, as an area to study.
The Electronic Commerce Committee special task force was formed in 1998, and a Joint Statement on Electronic Commerce was adopted at the 36th Japan-U.S. Business Conference.
The statement, which advocated private sector leadership in developing electronic commerce grounded in "Free, Fair, Global" principles, was submitted to the Japan and U.S. governments and international organizations, including the WTO and OECD.

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