Japanese Industry Seeks Import Curbs on Chinese Bikes

TOKYO, Japan (May 23) - Japanese bicycle manufacturers are demanding import curbs on Chinese bicycles to save the domestic industry. Japan’s largest bicycle industry group, the Japan Bicycle Association, approached the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and seeks imposition of emergency curbs on bicycles imported from China and Taiwan. Bicycles from China and Taiwan are flooding the Japanese market. The association of 200 bicycle and components manufacturers stated that imports from China and Taiwan constitute about 70% of the 9 million bicycles sold in Japan annually. Media reports quoted an association official, Mr Toyokatsu Kawaguchi saying that, ‘Bicycle imports from China and Taiwan have increased at a phenomenal pace in the last two or three years forcing the domestic industry to demand protective emergency curbs’. The association is ready to make a formal request but the process could be delayed as some members who have shifted their production bases to China are taking a more careful stance. However, the Vice-minister of Trade, Mr Katsusada Hirose, adopted a more cautious approach, stating that emergency curbs were permitted under the World Trade Organisation’s ‘safeguard’ measures, but the government’s policy was to promote free trade. He further stated that the safeguard measures are an emergency step that is allowed if necessary, but it is important that Japan operates and proceeds with a system of free trade (SH).