Tokyo, Mar. 23.
Great importance is attached by Japanese trade circles to the decision: of the Finance, Ministry to adopt new foreign exchange measures to allow unconditional importation of foreign raw materials for re-exportation as finished goods, Owing to the rigid import exchange regulations' which have been in force in Japan since the beginning of last year, there has been a serious shortage in supply of raw materials for export goods and this has been greatly hampering the nation's export business.
Apprehension has been felt in various trades that Japan might gradually lose her foreign markets, and the opinion has been gathering strength that the Japanese Government should alleviate the import exchange regulations with respect to goods for re-export and those entitled to import duty rebates.
In view of these developments, the Finance Ministry, after consulting with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Cabinet Planning Board, has reached a decision to re-Place the old policy by a new measure to allow unconditional importation of raw materials to enter the bonded districts and those entitled to import duty rebates, on request from the importer, with a view to contributing to the promotion of export business.
This decision is considered an epochal change in the foreign exchange policy of Japan, and is expected to bring about a considerable improvement in Japan's international trade.—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.