Oshima said that Japan cannot accept the proposal, describing it as "too ambitious" in numerical targets and claiming it would deal a "devastating" blow to Japan's rice-oriented agriculture, Kyodo News reported.

Japan will work to shrink the proposed figures with such allies as the European Union (EU) and by garnering support from developing countries, he said.

The first draft formulas and targets, or so-called modalities, for members' commitments circulated by agricultural negotiations chairman Stuart Harbinson require Japan to slash at least 45 percent of its 490 percent rice tariff rate, Kyodo said.

The Harbinson proposal is expected to serve as a basis for the two conflicting camps of farm produce exporters led by the United States and importers including Japan and the EU to seek a compromise by March 31 to set modalities.

Farm and trade ministers from 22 select WTO member states are expected to face off for the first time based on modality proposals presented by the chairman when they gather for a three-day informal meeting in Tokyo beginning this Friday.

(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2003)