Japan partly implement Wassenaar 2009

On Jan 28, METI announced export control list update for seeking public comment on the web site. Looking at the new list, it include some latest Wassenaar list which was agreed on Dec 2009. Below is the example of digital computer, Category 4.

• "Digital computers" having an 'Adjusted Peak Performance' ('APP') exceeding 1.5 Weighted TeraFLOPS (WT);
  --> In current list, APP is 0.75WT. This is relax of technical specification, and APP 1.5 is according to Wassenaar 2009 list.
  
• Equipment specially designed for aggregating the performance of "digital computers" by providing external interconnections which allow communications at unidirectional data rates exceeding 2.0 Gbyte/s per link.
  --> In current list, the rate is 1.25 Gbyte/s. This is relax of technical specification, and this rate is according to Wassenaar 2009.

I looked into the list more closely whether Category 5 parts Note 4 (exemption like Ancillary encryption) is there or not, but I don't find it.

I'm a bit surprised to see this list update, because it is very early to incorporate Wassenaar list change. Generally, it takes 1 year later or more. In addition, the Wassenaar 2008 list will be implemented from April 2010 in Japan. The public comment list is not reflecting fully of Wassenaar 2009 agreement. It looks like "early harvest" of dual-use items decontrol. As long as I know, no other country implement Wassenaar 2009 so soon.

As this announcement is public comment stage, I will keep monitoring this list change.

(Source: http://search.e-gov.go.jp/servlet/Public?CLASSNAME=Pcm1010&BID=595110005&OBJCD=&GROUP= )