House International Relations Committee Considers Resolution on Japan-U.S. Relations

Late last month, the House International Relations Committee considered and passed with minor modifications Congressman Doug Bereuter's (R-Nebraska) non-binding House resolution stressing the "urgent need for Japan to more effectively address its economic and financial problems" and to "eliminate informal barriers to trade."

The changes to the original text of the resolution include a critique of recent economic stimulus and tax reduction proposals. The International Relations Committee commented in its report accompanying the resolution that "it is by no means clear that these measures will restore economic growth or will be targeted at the most productive sectors of the economy." The Committee also raised concerns that a further weakening of the yen "could trigger a round of competitive devaluations among Japan's Asian neighbors."

As a non-binding resolution, this measure (if passed) has no force of law but does serve to convey the sense of the House with regard to the state of U.S.-Japan relations. A non-binding measure of this nature is an "easy" vote for most members as it has no real implications for U.S. foreign policy and alienates no U.S. constituents.

At the time this resolution first was proposed, it was largely a response to the adverse decision suffered by Kodak before the WTO. Support for this resolution likely has remained constant, because of the current state of Japan's economy and calls by U.S. trade officials and members of Congress for Japan to take steps to address current economic instability.

The resolution still needs to be reviewed by the House Ways and Means Committee before being sent to the full House for a vote.