JAPAN: GASOLINE, KEROSENE, DIESEL The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif. 95.62. 1. Member to Agreement notifying: JAPAN. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2). 2. Agency responsible: Ministry of International Trade and Industry. 3. Notified under Article 2.9.2. 4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may provided in addition, where applicable): Gasoline, kerosene, diesel (HS: 27). 5. Title and number of pages of the notified document: Amendment to the Ministerial Ordinance Based on the Gasoline Retail Business Law (available in Japanese, 1 page). 6. Description of content: (a) Current mandatory specification for motor gasoline will be changed; (b) Mandatory specification for motor diesel fuel and room-heating kerosene will be introduced; (c) specific mark will be designated, which retailers of motor gasoline, motor diesel or room-heating kerosene can choose to display at their filling stations/shops if the gasoline, diesel or kerosene they sell fulfills a certain quality standard. 7. Objective and rationale: In response to the abolition of the ``Provisional Measures Law on the Importation of Specific Petroleum Refined Products'' which has restricted those who can import gasoline, kerosene and diesel to refineries, quality standard for gasoline, kerosene and diesel will be formally specified by ministerial ordinance. 8. Relevant documents: The above ministerial ordinance will be set under the Law on the Quality Control of Gasoline and Other Fuels (the amended title of the Gasoline Retail Business Law). This ordinance will appear in the ``KAMPO'' (Official Government Gazette) when adopted. 9. Proposed date of adoption and entry into force: 1 April 1996 (tentative). 10. Final date for comments: 5 May 1995. (082)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0608 19950324\FO-0004)