The Japanese government's deregulation package is a "good first step" but a lot of work still remains to be done, said Glen S. Fukushima, vice president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
"Freedom in principle and restrictions only as exception ... that's what we'd like to see," he said. "However, I think it's still the case that in many areas the Japanese government's view is the opposite."
Comprising 2,823 deregulatory measures, the government's package is touted as a radical structural change to the nation's economy that will boost domestic demand and facilitate imports. Fukushima acknowledges some "relatively significant" steps in such areas as housing, certification and standards, and transportation.