Japan has sent a letter of concern to the United States on a bill recently passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, which contains a provision similar to "Buy American", an official at Japan's foreign ministry said.

The letter, sent earlier this week from Japan to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, comes as the United States says the "Buy American" provisions are in line with World Trade Organisation commitments.

In the letter, Japan's ambassador to the United States, Ichiro Fujisaki, expressed worries on a provision in the appropriations bill for energy and water development that said funds should not be used to buy cars other than those made by the Big Three, the official said. The Big Three refers to troubled U.S. automakers Ford Motor Co, General Motors and Chrysler.

"If it limits it to just the three, this violates the World Trade Organisation's fundamental principle of non-discrimination," said the official, who declined to give her name.

"Taking into consideration the flow from the previous stimulus package, we are concerned that there will be more moves to promote purchasing of American products."

"Buy American" provisions in the U.S. stimulus bill generally require public works projects funded by the bill to use only U.S.-made steel, iron and other manufactured goods.

Source: Reuters