U.S., Japan to improve telecommunications equipment trade

U.S., Japan to improve telecommunications equipment trade The United States concluded an agreement with Japan that will help U.S. telecommunications and radio equipment makers market and sell their products in Japan and expand the acceptance in Japan of determinations made by U.S. certification bodies.
   The agreement, signed Feb. 16, will become 'a new tool for U.S. companies to expand their exports of telecommunications equipment to Japan,' said U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab in a statement.
   Under the agreement, Japan will accept the results of conformity assessment procedures, such as product testing and certification, performed by approved certification bodies in the United States. These certification bodies ensure that U.S. telecommunication equipment meets Japan's technical requirements.
   The USTR said Japan's agreement to accept certification by recognized U.S. organizations would lower costs and speed up the marketing in Japan of U.S. products.
   In 2005, total U.S.-Japan trade in telecommunications equipment was about $2.6 billion, and Japan was the United States' fourth-largest export market for these products.