Japan follows Europe’s lead to review liner conferences

Japan follows EuropeÆs lead to review liner conferences Japan's transport ministry is launching a review of the block exemption that allows ocean carriers to set common rates, just months after Europe's decision to abolish liner conferences from late 2008, reports London's Financial Times.
   'This is a tremendous step for us,' said Shuichi Sugahisa, a director at Japan's Fair Trade Commission. 'A few years ago, we could not have even imagined that the transport ministry would begin such a review. If the European Union had not moved, then Japan would not have thought about moving.'