Japan removed its import tariffs on U.S. tobacco.

Suspension of the quota on U.S. cigarettes and tobacco products ends a year-long unfair trade practices case brought by the United States, officials announced. The tariff and other trade barriers, which have kept the price of American tobacco products relatively high in Japan and thus limited their market share, have been the subject of an investigation by the U.S. Trade Representative under the Trade Act of 1974. The change will bring the price of a pack of American cigarettes in Japan down to $1.65 from its current $1.82.