Fearing misuse of “sensitive” technology, Japan considers export controls

The Japanese government is considering strengthening export controls on advanced technologies that could be used for military purposes, Nikkei Asia reported.

According to Nikkei Asia, the move may be the Japanese government's response to a recent report that Japan's advanced machine tool technology is being used for China's nuclear weapons program.

Japan's export controls are among the strictest in the world, but it is difficult for exporters to fully inspect every part contained in machine tools – needed to finish complex parts and molds.

“We want to make sure that companies are doing what they need to do to prevent the use of dual-use technologies for military purposes,” said a representative of the Trade Administration Bureau of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

“We are considering re-evaluating programs implemented under the Foreign Exchange and Trade Act, including export controls, in light of the new international security environment.”

Earlier, Nikkei Asia said in its recent investigative report how advanced civilian technologies from Japan and the West are being applied to China's nuclear weapons development.

The tightening of exports of key technologies to China by Europe, the US and Japan has not prevented advanced technologies from leaking out.

It is difficult to completely stop the technology “bleeding,” but companies need to delay access to critical technologies as much as possible, explained Takushoku University professor Heigo Sato, an expert on export controls.

World - Fearing misuse of — Japan has long been considered a leader in machine tools, with many of the industry's leading global operations headquartered in the "land of the rising sun," such as Yamazaki Mazak, Okuma, DMG MORI, JTEKT, and Komatsu. Photo: Direct Industry

An advisory committee of Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry began discussing the issue on November 1. The aim is to strengthen the effectiveness of export controls to prevent the diversion of technology for military applications amid an increasingly widening range of dual-use technologies.

“A review of the export control program and a reassessment of regulations are important for Japan, a country that owns sensitive and advanced technologies,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a news conference on November 11.

Japan already requires export licenses for some machine tools and has strict export regulations in place. But as import methods become increasingly complex, the risk of critical technologies and goods being diverted for military use is becoming increasingly apparent.

Like other countries, Japan has controls on the export of technologies that could be used in weapons production. Pre-screening is mandatory, and exporters must confirm the intended use of the technologies and the end users.

In the West, the changing security environment and rapid technological developments have led governments to reassess export controls. Such moves target new technologies that could be diverted for military use.

Professor Sato of Takushoku University recommends that Japan should seek allies to strengthen cooperation on export controls.

Members of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) have also called for tighter export regulations.

“First, the government must grasp the real situation,” said a senior LDP official. “We need to strengthen our human intelligence network in addition to tapping public information . ”

Minh Duc (According to Nikkei Asia, The China Brief)

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