The information in news releases is current at the time of the release. Note that the information shown here may not be latest information (termination of production or sales, changes to specifications or pricing, organizational or contact address changes, etc.), and may be subject to change without prior notice.
February 20, 1997
We will leave any specific comment on the U.S. filing to the Government of Japan. But over the last two years, we have certainly developed a full understanding of the claims that Kodak and later USTR have made about this case. We are not aware of any new fact or evidence that would change Fujifilm's assessment of this case--Kodak and USTR are wrong on the facts and the law.
Kodak has failed consistently to prove that either the Japanese Government or Fujifilm is responsible for its presence in Japan. In fact, Kodak film is available all over Japan, at a reasonable price. Kodak's problem is not market access, but rather the absence of consumer demand. Kodak's market share is not bigger because Kodak has failed to make the commitments in investment, innovation and quality that would attract more Japanese consumers. Ultimately, only by winning more Jpanese consumers can Kodak increase its market share in Japan.
Since Kodak first made its claims to USTR, Fujifilm has said that a neutral and objective review of the facts will demonstrate that those claims are without merit. Now the sum and substance of those claims have been placed before a panel of neutral trade experts who will evaluate the facts and the WTO principles free of political considerations. Fujifilm is confident that, based on our knowledge of the case, the WTO process will affirm our view that USTR should never have accepted this case.
Contact:
Jeff Surrell
202-326-1748
for Fujifilm