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October
2005
Suntory Unit Focusing On Blue
Carnations To Grow Cut Flower Operations
Suntory Flowers Ltd. is promoting cut carnation products in an effort to
cultivate its cut flower operations into its second major business after
flower seedlings. The Suntory Ltd. group firm recently added two carnation
products to its nationwide lineup. The flowers, part of the Moondust
series of blue carnations, are both spray versions that have at least
three blossoms to a stalk. The carnation sprays are available in either
light or dark blue hues. The spray-type Moondust carnations will likely
retail for 350-500 yen a stalk. Suntory Flowers now offers a total of five
blue carnation products, including three standard versions with one
blossom to a stalk. The firm has created a five-person promotional team to
further develop its cut flower business. This year, Suntory Flowers is
targeting carnation sales, including both standard and spray types,
totaling 750,000 stalks, which is roughly double its 2004 tally. In 2006,
it will aim to raise that number to 1.5 million stalks. Drawing on the
know-how it obtained through nationwide carnation sales, Suntory Flowers
plans to begin offering roses as early as 2007. It anticipates sales of
about 4.5 billion yen this year, roughly 90% of which will come from its
flower seedlings business. (The Nikkei Business Daily, October 21, 2005)
September 2001
Japan
presented a detailed explanation to the World Trade Organization on its
proposal to introduce new safeguard restrictions against sudden surges in
a new category of agricultural imports.
In a paper presented to the WTO Committee on Agriculture, the
Japanese government urged that safeguards be applied in a timely and
effective manner when a WTO member country faces a sudden surge of imports
of seasonable and perishable produce.
The Japanese proposal is likely to face strong opposition from
Australia and other members of the Cairns group of produce-exporting
countries, which have argued that the WTO should abolish agricultural
import safeguards, including the special safeguards provision already in
place. (September 29, The Japan Times)
Japan and Singapore
kicked off a third round of negotiations for a bilateral free trade
agreement (FTA) with the hope of making this round the last and putting
the pact into force by next summer. The two countries may have to continue
talks on some technical matters even if they strike a deal in principle.
If the two sides reach a final agreement, Prime Minister Koizumi and
Singapore Prime Minister will sign the pact by the end of this year and
wait for both parliaments to ratify it. It would be the first FTA for
Japan, which is the only major industrialized country that does not have a
free trade arrangement with any of its economic partners. The
Japan-Singapore FTA would not only lead to elimination of tariffs on trade
in goods but would also enhance cooperation in the information-technology
and financial sectors. While about 85% of the value of all imports from
Singapore to Japan are currently tariff-free, the FTA would bring the
ratio up to about 94%. The main farm-related products Japan imports from
Singapore are goldfish, tuna and cocoa powder. Although they make up only
4% of the value of imports from Singapore, worth about 660 billion Yen a
year, Japan is trying hard to maintain tariffs on them as lawmakers
representing agricultural interests are strongly opposed to their
elimination. (September 4, the Daily Yomiuri)
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