P.M. BRIEFING : Japan Warns of Reaction on Listing

TOKYO — Japan may react strongly if the U.S. government lists it among countries deemed to seriously violate free trade principles, a Foreign Ministry official said today.

Under U.S. trade law, the Bush Administration must decide by May 30 which countries maintain high trade barriers to U.S. products. Japan topped a preliminary list, released last month by U.S. Trade Representative Carla Hills, of 34 countries deemed to have such barriers.

“This is a matter that has already created quite a reaction in this country,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Taizo Watanabe told a regular press briefing. If Japan is listed as a serious free trade violator, he said, “The reaction could be rather emotional.”