Japan will reduce tariffs on 1,849 items.

Government officials said the decision to reduce the tariffs an average of 22.5% is expected to cost Japan $372 million. Tariffs also will be eliminated outright on 38 items, including palm oil, automobile tires and electronic switching systems, while import duties will be reduced by more than 20% on an additional 31 products, including boneless chicken and bananas, the officials said. Tariff cuts on wines, demanded by West European countries, have been postponed until early 1987, while new rates on leather goods will be fixed this year, the officials added.