Japan bulk export license requirement update

METI announced its update of bulk export license notification as of March 29, 2013.
As posted in this blog last month Feb 9, the draft of this update was posted for public comment.
This change is effective on April 1st, 2013.  Below is the summary of the change.

1.AEO approved exporter will have a benefit in applying bulk export license:
In order to apply bulk export licenses in Japan (excluding White country bulk license), on-site audit by METI has been mandatory requirement for a new applicant. The update in the notification eliminate METI on-site audit only for AEO exporter. It is allowed for AEO exporter to apply bulk license without METI on-site audit. This exemption is certainly welcomed by AEO exporter who don't have METI bulk license.


2.METI official seminar participation no longer required for bulk license application and extension:
The attendance to METI official export control seminar by full time employee has been mandatory requirement before bulk license application, and also in renewal of bulk license in extending its validity. This seminar requirement is eliminated, and instead, the new requirement is added as:
"Exporter should collect latest export control regulatory update and disseminate it to relevant employees internally".
In addition, the participation of the official seminar is not required also in renewal of bulk license.
In essence, exporter should not reply on government effort but try themselves to be compliant.

First Round of Negotiations on a FTA among Japan, China and Korea

The first round of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement ("FTA") among Japan, China and Korea will be held in Seoul, Korea from March 26 to 28.
In this round of negotiations, the scope and method of negotiations, amongst others, will be discussed.

In addition to the announcement of joining TPP negotiation, this trilateral FTA in East Asia is also significant step forward to Japan.


http://www.mofa.go.jp/press/release/press6e_000003.html

US - Korea FTA origin certification method

Under US-Korea FTA, the origin certification method is by self-certification.  This is not by approved exporter by authority in EU, but is allowed to declare by importer, exporter or producer.

The text is here in page 7 - 8 in following URL.
http://www.ustr.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/agreements/fta/korus/asset_upload_file680_12704.pdf

My interest is whether TPP adopt this method or existing method issued by government designated organization.