Structural Impediments Initiative

The SII was started in July 1989 to identify and solve structural problems
that restrict bringing two-way trade between the U.S. and Japan into better
balance.
Both the U.S. and Japanese governments chose issues of concern in the
other's economy as impediments to trade and current account imbalances.
The areas which the U.S. Government chose as focus included: (a) Japanese
savings and investment patterns, (b) land use, (c) distribution, (d)
keiretsu, (e) exclusionary business practices, and (f) pricing. Areas
which the Japanese Government chose as focus included: (a) U.S. savings
and investment patterns, (b) corporate investment patterns and supply
capacity, (c) corporate behavior, (d) government regulation, (e) research
and development, (f) export promotion, and (g) workforce education and
training.
In a June 1990 report, the U.S. and Japan agreed to 7 meetings in the
following three years to review progress, discuss problems, and produce
annual joint reports.