[ Capabilities ][ Staff ][ Clients ][ Press ][ Library ][ Contact ]| (JETRO) Japanese Government Introduces Action Plan for Structural Reform of the Japanese Economy NEW YORK -- June 8, 1999 The Government will follow-up on the Action Plan every year, measuring the progress achieved toward meeting the objectives of the program. This will help generate significant results by the year 2001. There are three primary objectives in the reform program, including: 1) Improving the environment for dynamic economic growth; 2) Developing a more attractive business climate for Japanese, as well as foreign businesses and 3) Reducing the public burden of social costs. Each of these objectives is interdependent and essential. - Financial deregulation, intellectual property rights protection, human resource development, infrastructure upgrades, and sector-oriented reforms in 15 growth areas are critical to developing an enabling environment that can raise the overall competitiveness of the Japanese economy as well as to make the Japanese market a more attractive place in which to conduct business. - Energy, distribution, information and telecommunications, finance and land reforms are necessary to create a more attractive business climate for Japanese and foreign businesses. - Finally, the public burden imposed through the progressive aging of Japanese society requires that initiatives be implemented to reform Japan's social security and pension system and to increse the effectiveness of government spending. Targeted programs will also be implemented to promote new business activity in 15 sectors with proven growth potential. These sectors include: - medical care & welfare o biotechnology - recreation & leisure o urban development - information & telecommunications o aviation and space (civil demand) - new manufacturing technology o new energy & energy conservation - distribution & logistics o human resources - environment o international communications - business services o housing and residential - ocean-related industries construction-related industries For a more detailed document summarizing the program's objectives, important reform initiatives and the timing of their implementation, please visit JETRO USA's web site at http://www.jetro.org or contact: Kazunori Iizuka This material is published and disseminated by KWR International, Inc., 140 West End Avenue, New York, N.Y 10023, Tel: 212-799-4294, Fax: 212-799-0517, E-mail: kwrintl@kwrintl.com, which is registered on behalf of JETRO New York, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, which is registered as an agent of the Japan External Trade Organization, Tokyo, Japan. This material is filed with the Department of Justice where the required registration statement is available for public viewing. The preceeding information is provided by: KWR International, Inc. New York, NY 10023 Phone: +1.212.532.3005 Fax: +1.212.799.0517 E-mail: kwrintl@kwrintl.com Website content © 2001 KWR International |