Japan's Clunker

Editorial · Martins Ferry Times Leader · Link to Article

It wouldn't be the first time Japan adopted a good American idea and then capitalized on it for its own benefit.

But the recent action to initiate an exclusively domestic Cash for Clunkers program in Japan is truly a slap in the face.

The struggling economy has undoubtedly had a global impact. Based on the success of the U.S. Cash for Clunkers program, the Japanese government has developed a similar program of its own to help stimulate their economy. What's making U.S. leaders cry foul is the fact that the program in Japan excludes American-made vehicles.

In fact, nearly half of the 677,000 vehicles sold as part of the U.S. Cash for Clunkers program last year were Japanese made.

Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher was among lawmakers across the nation who expressed their outrage late last week of Japan's unfair rule.

"The exclusion of American autos from Japan's domestic Cash for Clunkers program is outrageous and the Japanese should take immediate steps to make U.S. cars eligible."

Thanks to the original U.S. Cash for Clunkers program, the global auto industry received a significant and much-needed boost for sales and manufacturing. It helped stabilize the automotive sector and aided both U.S. and Japanese automakers, officials stressed.

If Japan utilizes the Clunker's formula to stimulate their economy, then more power to them. But to intentionally exclude U.S. vehicles from the deal - or to make it virtually impossible for American-made cars to qualify - is fundamentally unfair. The incentive will not only lure Japanese consumers to buy their own domestic vehicles, it will also drive them away from potentially purchasing U.S. made vehicles when they otherwise may have done so.

Japan is an important trading partner of the U.S., Fisher noted, but we here in the states have not made efforts to bring discrimination into our dealings with our partners in foreign markets.

"Trade remains vital to Ohio's economy, but workers on Ohio assembly lines - from the Jeep plant in Toledo to the GM factory in Lordstown - should have the same opportunity to sell their cars in Tokyo as they do in Cincinnati."

Officials have threatened to take a case to the World Trade Organization to protest the recent measure, and if the Japanese government proceed with this unfair plan, we support the complaint.