Commerce Secretary C. William Verity said Japan’s...

Commerce Secretary C. William Verity said Japan’s refusal to open public construction projects to U.S. firms is “unacceptable” and could result in retaliation against Japan. “We feel since our market is open to Japan that it is time for Japan to open up their market,” Verity said at a news conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo. Verity was the first U.S. Cabinet member to meet Prime Minister Noboru Takeshita since Takeshita was elected Nov. 6. Japanese Foreign Minister Sosuke Uno told Verity earlier that Japan will not allow U.S. companies to participate in billions of dollars of government construction projects.