31st Asian Export Control Seminar Held

1. Background to and overview of the seminar

The seminar aims to encourage Asian countries and regions to introduce export control systems and enhance their implementation, thereby contributing to an international effort for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). The seminar works to provide an opportunity for experts from government agencies and international organizations around the world, including Asia, to gather to exchange views and share information, including the latest challenges and best practices of export control implementation, thereby supporting the awareness raising of the importance of export control.

2. Outline of the seminar

(1) Highlights of the seminar

Opening remarks

Mr. Koga Yuichiro, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, delivered the opening remarks. He pointed out that the development of an export control system in Asian countries has been steadily advancing since the 1990s, but security issues remain because of changes in the international situation. He also mentioned that the rapid progress of advanced technologies, including advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology, has the potential to bring about changes in the military field. He also stated that Japan as well has been advancing the review of its security export control system.

Moreover, he emphasized that the Asian region plays an important role in the global supply chain as a manufacturing and distribution base for goods and technologies critical to security, including advanced electronic components, and also that accordingly, it is important for Asian countries to promote the introduction of security export control systems and take action to enhance the effectiveness of their implementation in order to ensure the security of the Asian region and the world. Furthermore, he explained that Japan has been promoting cooperation with other Asian countries on practical aspects of export control, including by providing training courses for licensing officers and outreach events for industry, and mentioned that Japan has also been working to simplify procedures with countries that implement the export control systems properly.

Latest trends in the development of export control systems

Presenters of Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Canada explained their efforts to respond to the recent evolution of technology and changes in the international situation, including export control of emerging technologies, amendment of catch-all control systems, efforts for economic security, and the importance of a balance between security and free economic activities. In addition, they exchanged views on their efforts to address various challenges on export control, including strengthening the involvement of industry and developing outreach activities to the academic sector.

Export control systems in Asian countries and regions

Presenters of Thailand, Singapore, Bangladesh, Hong Kong China, Lao PDR, Cambodia, China, Viet Nam, and Pakistan explained their latest export control systems. They presented their efforts to implement UN Security Council Resolution 1540 as well as those to develop their export control systems and enhance their implementation. In addition, they exchanged views not only on organizations and licensing practices of export control authorities but also on new challenges, including control of technology transfer, export control of emerging technologies, and measures against financing for the WMDs proliferation.

Procurement activities by entities of concern

Experts in the field of non-proliferation of WMD made presentations on the theme of procurement activities by entities of concern. They explained [i] the importance of enhancing cooperation among export control authorities against the backdrop of diversifying procurement activities by entities of concern to access technology information as well as the challenges faced by universities and companies in enhancing measures for preventing the unintended technology outflow and [ii] the current situation of illicit procurement by country subject to the UN sanctions and specific case examples of procurement networks based on the reports of the Panel in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1874.

Thematic session (intangible technology transfer)

Presenters of Japan, Australia, Malaysia, and Norway focused on the efforts of universities and research institutions to control intangible technology transfer and explained the amendment of relevant regulations, including deemed export control, case studies on the violations of laws, and outreach activities by export control authorities.

Thematic session (export licensing examination)

Presenters of Japan, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, India, and Singapore explained their efforts, including export licensing systems, examination policies, export examination procedures, inter-agency cooperation, and best practices.

Thematic session (enforcement of and compliance with laws)

Presenters of the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Canada, and Australia focused on their efforts for the enforcement of legal systems and compliance with laws and explained their penal provisions, measures for voluntary disclosure to mitigate penalties, outreach activities to industrial players, case studies on law enforcement, and inter-agency cooperation in law enforcement.

Presentations by international organizations and international export control regimes

Representatives of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC), and a think tank explained the latest efforts by these organizations. In addition, the chairpersons and head of the secretariat of the multilateral export control regimes, namely the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Australia Group (AG), and the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA), explained the initiatives of the respective export control regimes in light of the evolution of technology.

(2) Results of the seminar

The 31st seminar brought together around 170 stakeholders of export control from many countries in Asia and around the world, international organizations, and multilateral export control regimes. Following on from the previous seminar, participants engaged in a lively exchange of views, including a sharing of best practices, on challenges involving export control, respective countries’ efforts to address these challenges, and effective methods for implementing export control, and this helped participants to further strengthen the network among them. METI will continue to conduct outreach activities to Asian countries and regions, including this seminar, and make efforts to support them in establishing export control systems and enhance the effectiveness thereof.

Division in Charge

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