Operation Import
p. 63 · Read in the full issue
The Japan External Trade Or ganisation (JETRO) this year launched a campaign to pro mote imports from industrial countries and developing nations as part of a drive to off set increasing trade frictions arising from Japan’s huge trade
surplus.
JETRO carries out import promotion activities in more than 70 overseas offices, at its Tokyo head office and at 28 trade information centres within Japan. Among its cur rent import-related operations it liaises on import inquiries, publishes information on the Japanese market, stages sem inars and exhibitions to pro
mote sales to Japan, makes arrangements for overseas missions to visit Japan, spon sors exchange programmes of experts and professionals with other countries, produces films useful to exporters to Japan, assists meetings of trade pro motion groups and conducts research for Japanese importers.
Japan’s overseas offices re ceive 200 000 trade inquiries a year from foreign businessmen hoping to buy goods from, or sell goods to, Japan. JETRO is concerned that only 4% or 5% of the inquiries involve sales to Japan. It is planning to upgrade its import promotion division.