The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission on Monday postponed a decision on whether to lift a ban on Japanese ships at U.S. ports and insisted that Japanese carriers pay some $4 million in fines. “No action was taken at this point,” Commission Chairman Harold Creel told reporters after a closed-door session. U.S. and Japanese officials reached agreement in principle on Friday to resolve a dispute over access to Japanese ports that threatened to turn into an all-out trade war. The State Department said Monday that a comprehensive agreement was expected shortly. Spokesman James Rubin said U.S. and Japanese negotiators met through the night on the accord, adding: “Experts are now finalizing details. We expect a comprehensive agreement will be reached very shortly.”
