U.S. CHIPMAKERS URGE SANCTIONS AGAINST JAPAN The Semiconductor Industry Association urged the U.S. government to impose trade sanctions against Japan for violating the U.S.-Japan Semiconductor Trade Agreement. In a letter to Treasury Secretary James Baker the group said sanctions should be imposed against Japanese chipmakers as of April 1 and should continue until the United States is satisfied that there is full compliance with the agreement. The group said action by Japan to cut back on semiconductor exports is not what is required. "America's interests require that agreements be honored and that U.S. industries not bear the burden for the persistent unwillingness or inability of the government of Japan to deliver on its commitments," the trade group said. The White House Economic Policy Council is expected to discuss possible sanctions against Japan at a meeting scheduled for Thursday. The trade group said Japan has not lived up to the terms of the agreement last year which was aimed at ending Japanese dumping of semiconductors and at opening Japanese markets to foreign-based manufacturers.