Drive Will Be Launched to Expand Trade Between Japan and Israel

An organization combatting the Arab boycott of Israel will launch a drive to expand trade relations between Japan and Israel which have suffered because of “widespread compliance by Japanese companies with the dictates of the Arab boycott.”

Kenneth Bialkin, chairman of the International Steering Committee on Freedom of Trade with Israel, announced the undertaking in London last week. He said it would seek to eliminate Arab-induced trade obstacles imposed by Tokyo. The Steering Committee is composed of Jewish organization such as the American Jewish Committee, the American Jewish Congress and the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith — of which Bialkin is chairman — and binational Chambers of Commerce in 17 countries, including the U.S., Britain, France, Belgium, Holland, West Germany and Israel.

Bialkin, who is also chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, maintained that Japanese compliance with the Arab boycott, at a time when its effects are on the decline in most countries, is detrimental to Japan as well as to Israel.

He noted that Japanese companies presently refrain from selling consumer items such as automobiles to Israel and that Japanese imports of Israeli goods “are regrettably very small.” Japan is losing out on a lucrative market, Bialkin said, noting that Israel is rapidly becoming a major manufacturer in high technology industries.

He announced, at a meeting of the Steering Committee in London, that it would form a subcommittee to consult with American, European, Israeli and Japanese businessmen and consider a visit to Japan to meet key government officials to work out plans to encourage trade and investments between Japan and Israel.