Japan proposes package to import US-made cars

Japan has worked out a package of proposals to increase imports of American cars in an effort to assuage the anger of US officials about soaring Japanese car sales in the US, government sources said Thursday. The sources said the government will present the package to US trade representative Reubin Askew, scheduled to arrive Monday. The package includes a pledge to boost US auto-parts imports to $120 million from $36 million and eliminates import tariffs, the sources said. At present, an 8 percent duty is imposed on chassis and 5.3 percent on other parts.

United Automobile Workers president Douglas Fraser recently warned that unless Japan substantially reduced its auto exports, the US Congress would take tough action.