Japan: Govt plans to scrap wine tariffs

(TJN) - The government plans to gradually scrap tariffs on wine from EU nations over the next decade, according to sources close to talks between Japan and the European Union.

Japan imposes a tariff of either 15 percent on the price or ¥125 per liter on imported wine.

The government’s plans were presented during the past Japan-EU economic partnership agreement talks, the sources said.

About 75 percent of wines imported by Japan are from countries in the EU, which has demanded the removal of the tariffs.

According to the sources, the Japanese government also plans to scrap tariffs on sparkling wine, which are currently ¥182 per liter, and on mineral water, which are 3 percent of the price, hoping the policy will encourage the EU to scrap its tariffs on Japanese automotive parts, which are 3 percent to 4.5 percent.

However, the two sides are still far apart on the tariff cuts. Besides insisting on the immediate removal of tariffs on wine, the EU is also pressing Japan to scrap tariffs on agricultural products. The government wants to retain tariffs on some selected agricultural items.