P.M. BRIEFING : Japan Seen as ‘Lagging’ in Talks

WASHINGTON —  A U.S. negotiator today charged that Japan failed to play a vigorous role in world trade talks and was letting Western Europe take the blame for the recent collapse of negotiations.

“I regret to say Japan has, I think, hidden behind the European Community and not taken leadership in the negotiations commensurate with its role in world trade,” Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Julius Katz said on a broadcast beamed to Pacific Rim countries.

Japan has “lagged in putting forward its own proposals and not negotiated vigorously,” Katz said.

“They’ve been permitted to enjoy this position because all the attention focused on the European community, but should the negotiations be resumed, Japan will have to step up to its responsibilities and be an active participant in the negotiations,” he said.