Negotiating Group on Rules - Fisheries Subsidies - Subsidies for Vessel Construction and Modification - Paper from Japan

World Trade Organization TN/RL/W/201 6 March 2006 (06-0961) Negotiating Group on Rules Original: English FISHERIES SUBSIDIES SUBSIDIES FOR VESSEL CONSTRUCTION and MODIFICATION Paper from Japan The following communication, dated 2 March 2006 , is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of Japan . _______________ Introduction 1. The discussion of the disciplines on fisheries subsidies at the WTO Rules Negotiating Group has made significant progress since its beginning. Japan is confident that it has made a substantial contribution to the discussion, particularly through its proposals in June and September 2004 as well as the joint proposal co-sponsored by Korea and the Separate Customs Territory o f T aiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu in February 2005 (TN/RL/W/159, 164 and 172 respectively). 2. The progress of the fisheries subsidies negotiation is duly recognized in the Hong K o ng Ministerial Declaration. In pa