Update of METI's licensing policies and procedures on exports of controlled items to the Republic of Korea

METI applies specific licensing policies and procedures for implementing its export control and regulation on a country-by-country basis, considering how a specific country implements its export control and regulation. In most cases, METI has developed these policies and procedures through reliable relationships based on trust and close communication with the specific country and its export control authority.

Through careful consideration among the relevant ministries in Japan, the Government of Japan cannot help but state that the Japan-ROK relationship of trust including in the field of export control and regulation has been significantly undermined. Considering that certain issues in ROK's export control and regulation can only be addressed under a relationship of utmost trust, METI has concluded that it must change the current implementation practices such as licensing policies and procedures for export or transfer of controlled items and their relevant technologies to the ROK in order to ensure appropriate implementation of Japan’s own export control and regulation. In addition, as METI has recently found that certain sensitive items have been exported to the ROK with inadequate management by companies, METI will apply more stringent procedures over certain controlled items and their relevant technologies.

1.Removal of the Republic of Korea from “White Countries”

On July 1, METI will begin the public comments process for the amendment of the Cabinet Order removing the Republic of Korea from the Appended Table III (so called “white countries”) of the Export Trade Control Order.

• Reference: Public Comments(e-Gov site) (in Japanese)

 2. Individual export licenses for certain items and their relevant technologies

From July 4, exporters shall apply for an individual export license for export of Fluorinated polyimide, Resist, and Hydrogen Fluoride, and their relevant technologies, which may include technology transferred with exports of manufacturing equipment to the Republic of Korea, as the relevant bulk licenses for those three items will no longer be applicable.

• Reference: Export Control site(in Japanese)

Division in Charge

Trade Control Policy Division, Trade Control Department, Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau