48. The representative of Japan reported to the Council about the WIPO Asian Forum organized jointly by WIPO and Japan, in Tokyo from 5 to 7 October 1998. Commissioners responsible for the protection of intellectual property from 23 Asian countries had participated in and discussed Asian intellectual property perspectives. The forum had issued a joint statement at the end, highlighting the importance of the implementation of the TRIPS Agreement within the available time-limit, taking appropriate measures for the enforcement of intellectual property rights and making efforts for acceding to international treaties on the protection of intellectual property.