Japan To Investigate Photo Film Market

Japan will investigate charges of unfair competition in its photographic film market, Tokyo announced Wednesday - just two days before the Japanese prime minister visits the United States.

U.S. film giant Eastman Kodak Co. has complained that the film market in Japan is dominated by four wholesalers loyal to rival Fuji Photo Film Co.

The unexpected announcement of an inquiry gives Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto a concrete development he can cite when meeting President Clinton in California on Friday.

Kodak’s director of Japan relations, Ira Wolf, said in Washington that he is optimistic there will be a negotiated solution to the dispute without the need for U.S.-imposed trade sanctions. He said he believes the dispute will come up during Friday’s meeting between Clinton and Hashimoto.