JAPANI.IntroductionGeneral Business EnvironmentJapan imports large amount of textiles and clothing products and this trend has increased over the long term. Japan has no experience of using safeguard measures pursuant to MFA (Multi-lateral Fiber Agreement) and ATC (Agreement on Textiles and Clothing).The recent situation in the Japanese textile and clothing industry is characterized by the fact that imports, most of which are apparel and clothing products, have been expanding more rapidly since 1999. Imports recorded high growth of 14% in 1999, and 15% in 2000. In 2001, imports still increased 1.9% compared with the previous year.The import penetration rate of all textiles and clothing products has risen almost constantly, and reached 67.4% in 2001.Due to this sharp increase in imports, the production of the domestic textile and clothing industry has declined greatly. At the same time, the numbers of employees and corporations have also decreased.Reference 1: Trends in Exports, Imports and Import Penetration Rate for Textiles and Clothing Products (Unit: thousand tons)@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @Exports @ @ @ @ @Imports1998 @ @ @ @ @ @ @458 1,4221999 476 1,6272000 489 1,8692011 482 1,904Reference 2: Import Penetration Rate1998 55.4%1999 60.2%200064.6%200167.4%Note: In calculating the Import Penetration Rate, the product volume is converted into weight of fiber.Reference 3: Trends in Internal Production of Textiles and Clothing(1995= 100)1998 1999 2000 2001Index of Production 84.9 79.6 75.2 68.9The Role and Position of the Textile and Clothing Sector in the Japanese EconomyThe textile and clothing industry is one of the key industries in Japan. Employment in the textile and clothing industry in Japan accounts for 7% of total manufacturing employment. The textile and clothing sector, including manufacturing, wholesale and retail, creates 1.83 million jobs.High localization is a characteristic of this industry. About 160 textiles and clothing production areas exist in Japan.While the textile and clothing industry sustains the development of local economies by creating employment, it is easily affected by economic fluctuations because of the characteristics of SMEs, including the small number of employees per establishment.Japan's imports of textiles and clothing products exceeded exports in 1987, and have been increasing steadily against a backdrop of rapid growth in the textile and clothing industry in Asian economies and the sharp rise in the value of the yen after the Plaza Accord.Reference: Current Situation in Japanese Textile and Clothing Manufacturing (2000)Sum of shipments \ 7,600 billion (2.5% of all manufacturing)Number of establishments 80,000 (13.6% of all manufacturing)Number of employees 680,000 ( 7.0% of all manufacturing)Number of Employees in the Wholesale and Retail Sector (1999) 1.15 millionNumber of Employees per Establishment (2000)All manufacturing 16.4Manufacturing of textile mill products 6.6Manufacturing of apparel and other finished...