UNITED STATES - TARIFF RATE QUOTA FOR IMPORTS

                                                           OF GROUNDNUTS

                                                     Request to Join Consultations

                                                      Communication from Japan

        The following communication, dated 19 January 1998, from the Permanent Mission of Japan to the Permanent Mission of the United States, the Permanent Mission of Argentina and to the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.11 of the DSU.

                                                            _______________

        Pursuant to paragraph 11 of Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes, the Government of Japan hereby notifies the Government of the United States that, in light of the substantial trade interest of Japan, it desires to be joined in the consultations requested by Argentina in a communication circulated to WTO Members on 8 January 1998 (WT/DS111/1, G/L/217, G/AG/GEN/16, G/RO/D/2, G/LIC/D/16) entitled “United States - Tariff Rate Quota for Imports of Groundnuts”.  Indeed Japan imported during 1994, 1995 and 1996 an average of 16 per cent of groundnuts from the United States.