Establishing Well Functioning National Trade Facilitation Bodies (NTFBs)
In the OIC Member States
34
 Co-operation with the Government
However, it is noteworthy that its objectives change in accordance with needs – i.e., they respond to
the need of improving business and trade practices in Japan.
The UN/CEFACT Japan Committee holds an annual plenary meeting. The Japan Committee for
UNCEFACT Standards meets around five times per annum. There are monthly meetings for the
Supply Chain Information Platform Study Group and the AFACT Travel Tourism and Leisure Japan
Working Group. Moreover, JASTPRO prepares seminars several times per year where those
interested are free to take part.
JASTPRO reports that it maintains channels of communication by the provision of information by
email, through its website, a monthly magazine, and by way of its seminars.
2.2.2.5. Sources of funding
JASTPRO is funded by the government. There is no formal budget for the UNCEFACT Japan
Committee – its expenses are covered by JASTPRO.
2.2.2.6. Achievements
Since 1971, many achievements have been obtained as a result of investigations and studies made by
special committees. It appears that the success of JASTPRO has been its ability to readjust its
mandate over the years in response to new developments in the global trade environment. Moreover,
the positive impact of the UNCEFACT Japan Committee is reportedly primarily its ability to provide
reliable information to its members so that they can manage their everyday business.
Some illustrations of the latest achievements of JASTPRO are as follows:
 The Supply Chain Information Platform Study Group published a multi industries electronic
data interchange specification with a guideline for Supply chain.
 A standard form for combined transport bill of lading, packaged application software for
export documentation, translation of "Trade Data Elements Directory (ISO 7372)", "ISO 9735
- Application level syntax rules" and "UN/EDIFACT Message Design Rules" and "UN/EDIFACT
Standard Directories".
JASTPRO’s projections for future activities reflect its response to changing needs: JASTPRO sees a
need for business to produce an Electronic Data Interchange standard. JASTPRO's Work has
primarily stressed the rationalization of documents to date. However, now, in addition, it has carried
out studies on the standardization of data elements and codes, and data exchange rules in order to
lay the groundwork for a smooth shift to the ADP or EDI system. From now on, JASTPRO will try not
only to solve the new problems accompanying the progress of ADP or EDI, while emphasis will also
be shifted to the problems of systems and procedures in keeping with the essential purpose of the
comprehensive simplification movement which has been under way over many years with due
consideration to the changing international circumstances. One can easily imagine that in the future,
as techniques of data exchange and processing make further strides, the importance of mutual