Mr. Wolf:

I agree with your broader point about the difficulties Japan would face in negotiating sectoral and crosscutting issues and should have phrased my point more carefully. But at least the other likely issues do not prevent Japan from entering into the negotiations, whereas a categorical refusal to put agricultural tariffs on the table does. In other words, they are negotiable, as is no doubt the case with the parties already in the negotiations on issues of their own. As for Japan Post, I see the consumption tax exemption likely to be part of the FY2011 tax package if and when Japan joins the negotiations as the major bone of contention--unless the US demands 100% privatization of the financial services, which for business reasons I would not press for if I were a financial institution.

I shall respect your reluctance to engage further on the Fuji-Kodak issue on emotional grounds (though you surely jest when you refer to your lack of intellectual energy.) However, I would very much appreciate it if you could point me to an online Kodak response to the Fuji Film posting, I would be very much obliged.

Jun Okumura