Japan agrees to lower numerous import duties

Japan agreed Thursday to slash import duties on a wide range of industrial and agricultural products in response to a personal appeal from President Reagan and steady pressure from the United States Congress.

Besides the 68 items in the trade package, Tokyo will cut duties on tobacco, biscuits, and chocolates - three items that have become the focus of complaints from American and Western European agricultural traders. The package was drawn up in response to increasing US pressure to reduce the American trade deficit with Japan, which reached $18 billion last year and is expected to top $20 billion this year.