JPN export control law update published

As reported on Aug 06 in this blog, Japanese export control regulation will be updated in order to reflect catch-all control for conventional weapon. The regulaiton rule was officially published on Aug 27 and will be implemented on Nov. 01, 2008, as originally scheduled.

My report last time was just in draft level, and METI have accepted public comment on this regulation change. After receiving public comments from Japanse industries, METI slightly chaged the category number of the new list of conventional weapons.

* Category# 15-2 for 32 items of sensitive dual-use items ---> Category# 16-(1)

Category# 16 have been the list of Catch-all controlled products which shows HS numbers of industries items excluding wooden and food items. Now, this category move to #16-(2) and the items list is no change. This list update is to reflect industry's opinion for avoiding any confusion of mixing up "list control" items and "catch-all control" items.

One good thing for industry is, METI stated in FAQ, new 32 items added in Category#16-(1) are not required to determine license required or not, except the export to United Nations arms embargo countries. The license determination procedure (e.g. using parameter sheet) is heavy administration burdens for business society, METI paid reasonable attention not to impose additional burdens to Japanese industry.