The 20th Asian Export Control Seminar was Held

In 1993, the Asian Export Control Seminar was inaugurated for persons in charge of export control in Asian countries and regions, aiming at stepping up Asian and international efforts toward non-proliferation of weapons of mass-destruction (WMD) by raising common awareness of the importance of such non-proliferation and export control over such weapons across Asia and by consolidating the export control capabilities there.

At this 20th seminar, participants exchanged views, focusing particularly on [i] sharing a view on the destabilized security situation in Asia as well as sharing concern about WMD proliferation, and [ii] sharing common awareness of the importance of the export control system in promoting trade investment in Asia, whose economic growth is surging.

1) Participants

The seminar was the largest-ever, with more than 120 people from 15 Asian countries and regions, major Western countries, including Turkey and Mexico as first-time participants, 3 panels from the UN Security Council, 4 MECRs, and research institutes attending.

2) Details of the seminar

Welcome speech

A welcome speech was presented by Ms. Yukari Sato, parliamentary vice minister of economy, trade and industry. In her speech, she mentioned awareness of recent surging economic growth in Asia as well as concern about WMD proliferation there, the importance of implementing export control in Asian regions, and Japan's proactive cooperation to enhance export control capability in the regions.

Following Vice-Minister Sato's speech, Mr. Yukinari Hirose, deputy director-general of the Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Science Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the participants. In his speech, he stated the importance of regional cooperation aiming at carrying out the related UN Security Council Resolutions and enhancing efforts toward non-proliferation of WMD, as well as Japan's efforts toward the goal.

Presentations of national efforts made by each participant's country

Sessions were held about efforts made by each country, with the countries that developed an export control system earlier making their presentations about such efforts first, before the other countries. As these presentations show specific model cases, they provided good opportunities for the rest of the countries and regions wishing to start working on export control.

Breakout sessions with major countries invited as moderators

Breakout sessions (sessions mainly for holding small-group discussions) exchanged views on the same themes as those in the 19th seminar, namely, development of national legislation, collaboration with industry, and inter-agency cooperation and coordination. Participants rated the sessions highly since they enhanced human networks between participants and enabled the sharing of awareness on issues.

Facility tour in Japan

The seminar conducted a tour visiting facilities in Japan in cooperation with the Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) and Tokyo Customs. In the tour, the cooperation with the seminar and related organizations for conducting non-proliferation and export control efforts of Japan was introduced to the visitors.

Presentations held by international organizations and experts in academic sectors on awareness of international situations

A variety of people who agree with the purpose of the seminar from related international organizations, four export control regimes, and academic sectors joined the seminar. They made presentations on recent international situations and activities aiming at non-proliferation across Asian regions. These presentations provided participants with good opportunities to recognize the importance of export control from diverse viewpoints.

3) Results of the seminar and future efforts

Through the seminar, participants from Asian regions seemed to actively gain increased awareness on export control and develop communication with participants from other areas to expand networks of people in charge of the matters.

METI will continue to make efforts for such Asian countries and regions through outreach activities, such as this seminar, as a part of non-proliferation efforts in Asia and the rest of the world.

1) Asian countries: 15 countries and regions

The People's Republic of Bangladesh, the Kingdom of Cambodia, India, the Republic of Indonesia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of the Philippines, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the Kingdom of Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam.

2) Cooperating countries: 10 countries and regions

Australia, the European Union, the French Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, the United Mexican States (first-time participant), the Republic of Singapore, the Republic of Turkey (first-time participant), and the United States of America.

3) Cooperating organizations: 11 organizations

The ASEAN Secretariat; Financial Action Task Force (FATF) under the OECD; University of Georgia, U.S.; the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), India; King's College, UK; State University of New York, U.S.; Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Sweden; 3 panels from the UN Security Council; and World Customs Organization (WCO)

4) Multilateral export control regimes (MECR): 4 regimes

• Wassenaar Arrangement (WA),
• Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG),
• Australia Group (AG) for the control of chemical and biological technology, and
• Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) for the control of missile technology

Note: Please visit the following website for the agenda and materials, the disclosure of which is permitted by the presentation speakers.
http://www.simul-conf.com/outreach/2012/asian_ec/index.html (both in English and Japanese)

February 28, 2013

Office of International Affairs for Security Export Control, Trade Control Department, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau