Japanese Economy

A recent Gallup survey commissioned by the Japanese government claims most American leaders consider Japan's emergence as a trade power a benefit and not a threat to U.S. production, Takeo Iguchi, Consul General of Japan, told about 40 people yesterday at a seminar sponsored by the University's Japan Institute.

The survey also indicates that American leaders are becoming increasingly friendly towards Japan, and most consider Japan a "partner and an ally," Iguchi explained. Only three per cent of the survey's respondents saw Japanese and American interests "in conflict," while 95 per cent polled considered the two countries "compatible," he explained.

The survey reveals that American leaders believe the causes of U.S. trade deficit with Japan are the high quality and lower cost of Japanese products, Japanese export subsidies, unfair trade barriers, and higher U.S. wages.

To lessen the deficit, most Americans would prefer to see U.S. production and export increase rather than Japanese imports restricted.