Japana extend a ban on all exports to North Korea

According to the Press Release of The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ("METI") on April 09, 2010, Japanese government has decided to extend a ban on all exports destined for North Korea, and all imports originating in or shipped from North Korea. (This measure has been for 4 years since 2006 with one year term each. )

Outline of the measures

1. The ban on export of all goods destined for North Korea shall be extended by continuing the requirement that exporters obtain export approval from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (Article 48, Paragraph 3 of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law ["FEFTL"]).

2. The ban on import of all goods originating in or shipped from North Korea shall be extended by continuing the requirement that importers obtain import approval from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (Article 52 of the FEFTL).

3. To ensure the enforcement of these restrictions, the following transactions shall be banned.
- Transactions involving buying/selling, loaning/borrowing, or giving of goods that involve the movement of the goods between third countries and North Korea (Article 25, Paragraph 6 of the FEFTL)
- Payments of import bills for goods originating in or shipped from North Korea that are imported without import approval (Article 16, Paragraph 5 of the FEFTL).

4. Goods exported for humanitarian purposes shall be exempted from the above restrictions.

Effective period

These restrictions shall be in effect from April 14, 2010 to April 13, 2011.

(Source: METI web site http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/data/20100409_01.html )