JAPAN - TAXES ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Status
Report by Japan
Addendum
The following
communication, dated 6 October 1997, from the Permanent Mission of Japan to the
Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated at the request of Japan.
_______________
Status
Report on Implementation of the Recommendations and Rulings of
the Dispute
Settlement Body Regarding “Japan - Taxes on Alcoholic Beverages”
(WT/DS8/11,
WT/DS10/11, WT/DS11/8)
The
Government of Japan
6
October 1997
Pursuant to Article 21.6 of
the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes
(“DSU”), the Government of Japan (“GOJ”) is obliged to inform the Dispute
Settlement Body (“DSB”) on the status of the implementation of the recommendations
of the DSB regarding “Japan - Taxes on Alcoholic Beverages”. Since this matter will be placed on the
agenda of the DSB on 16 October 1997, the GOJ presents its second status
report.
As stated in the first
report, on 1 October 1997, 4 months before the expiry of the reasonable period
of time, major adjustments of the liquor tax rates, as the first step to
implement the recommendations of the DSB, went into effect. As of the date, the tax rate on Whisky/Brandy
has been reduced by about 44 per cent, and the rates on Shochu A and B have
been increased by 30 per cent and 48 per cent respectively. At the same time, the GOJ is continuing to
examine possible and practical responses to this issue in order to find a mutually
acceptable solution with the other parties to this dispute regarding the
modalities of the implementation of the recommendations of the DSB.