JAPAN -  TAXES ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

                          Request to Join in Consultations under Article 4.11 of the DSU

                                             Communication from the United States

        The following communication, dated 7 July 1995, from the Office of the United States Trade Representative to the Permanent Mission of Japan and the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission is circulated at the request of the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

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        Pursuant to paragraph 11 of Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU), the United States Government hereby notifies the Dispute Settlement Body that, in light of the substantial trade interest of the United States, it desires to be joined in the consultations under Article XXII:1 of GATT 1994 requested by the European Communities in a communication circulated to WTO Members on 29 June 1995 (WT/DS8/1), entitled "Japan - Taxes on Alcoholic Beverages".

        The United States has a substantial trade interest in the alcoholic beverages that are the subject of the EC request.  Japan is the second largest market for U.S. distilled spirits exports.  U.S. exports of distilled spirits were valued at US$ 93 million in 1994, or approximately 25 per cent of U.S. distilled spirits exports to the world.