 
  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
2 February 2004 
 
 (04-0377) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   English 
  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures  
 
JAPAN 
 
 
 The following communication, dated 28 January 2 004, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Japan. 
_______________ 
 
 
I. MARINE PRODUCTS.............................................................................................................2  
A. IMPORT QUOTA ITEMS .................................................................................................................2  
B. IMPORT APPROVAL ITEMS ...........................................................................................................5  
II. MEDICINES AND CHEMI CAL PRODUCTS .....................................................................8  
III. PROPELLANT POWDERS ..................................................................................................11  
IV. NUCLEAR GOODS ...............................................................................................................12  
V. WEAPONS ........................................................................................................................ ......14  
VI. SILK PRODUCTS, SILK YARN, WOVEN FABRICS OF SILK, GAUZE OF 
SILK........................................................................................................................... ..............15  
A. IMPORT QUOTA ITEMS ...............................................................................................................15  
B. IMPORT APPROVAL ITEMS .........................................................................................................17  
VII. WILD ANIMALS AND PLANTS .........................................................................................19  
A. IMPORT QUOTA ITEMS ...............................................................................................................19  
B. IMPORT APPROVAL ITEMS .........................................................................................................21  
VIII.  SUBSTANCES WHICH DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER, SPECIFIED 
HAZARDOUS WASTES, WASTE CHEMICAL WEAPONS GOODS ...........................22  
A. IMPORT QUOTA ITEMS ...............................................................................................................22  
B. IMPORT APPROVAL ITEMS .........................................................................................................24  
IX. ALCOHOL ........................................................................................................................ ......25  
X. ROUGH DIAMONDS ............................................................................................................27  
XI. WOOD AND ARTICLES OF WOOD..................................................................................28  
XII. CULTURAL PROPERTY ILLEGALLY REMOVED FROM IRAQ..............................29  
                                                      
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 2  
 
  
I. MARINE PRODUCTS 
A. I
MPORT QUOTA ITEMS  
Outline of systems  
 
1. The Minister of Economy, Tr ade and Industry shall designate and publish a list of items of 
goods in accordance with IMPORT TRADE CONTROL ORDER,  Article 3 for whic h allocations of 
import quota are required.  Importers of the items set out in the list sha ll be approved to import them by 
the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry accord ing to Article 4 of the Order. The approval of 
import shall not be granted until importers appl y for and obtain allocations of import quota in 
accordance with Article 9 of the order. 
  The list of import quota items sh all be made public by the Minister of Economy, Trade and 
Industry in the Official Ga zette, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Official Bulletin and the 
International Trade Bulletin. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 2. Approvals are required for the following marine products. 
 ("ex" indicates that only a part of the heading is covered).  
 HS No
.  Description of Goods  
 ex 03.01   Herring, Cod, Yellow tail, Mackerel, Sardines, Horse-mackerel,   ex 03.02     Sauries, roes of Cod and Niboshi (small boiled and dried fish 
 ex 03.03     for seasoning), live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or   in brine  ex 03.04      
 ex 03.05     
 ex 03.07     Scallops, adductors of shell-fish, cuttle-fish and squid 
(excluding "Mongo ika") 
 ex 12.12   Edible seaweeds  and its food preparations  
 ex 21.06  
3. In principle, the approval system applies to th e products originating or shipped in all countries.  
 4. In principle, import of the products listed in 2 above shall be rest ricted quantitatively. 
 5. The approval system is a statutory requ irement of the IMPORT  TRADE CONTROL ORDER 
Article 4.1.(1) and Article 9.1.(1). The list of th e controlled items shall be published as an IMPORT 
NOTICE in the Offi cial Gazette.  The government may ab olish the system without legislative 
approval.(Consent of the Minister of Agriculture, Fo restry and Fisheries, who has jurisdiction over the 
products listed in 2 a bove, is required.)  
 Procedures
 
 
6. In principle, the approval system applies to th e products originating or shipped in  all countries. 
 I. The information about the a pplication for import quota allocation shall be published in the 
Official Gazette, the Ministry of Economy, Trade an d Industry Official Bulletin and the International 
Trade Bulletin. The total amount of import quota shal l be published in the Ministry of Economy, Trade 
and Industry Official Bulletin and others. Im port quota items are classified as follows: 
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Items        Originating country  
 - Herring, Cod, Yellow tail, Mackerel, Sardines, Horse-  All countries  
 mackerel, Sauries, roes of Cod a nd Niboshi (small  (country of demand 
 boiled and dried fish for se asoning), live,  to export) 
 fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine           
 - Scallops, adductors of shell-fish, cutt le-fish and    All countries 
 squid (excluding "Mongo ika")                                 (country of demand          to export) 
 
- Edible seaweeds and its food pr eparations                     All countries 
         (country of demand          to export)  
 With regard to cases whereby an application fo r import licensing is not necessary, the value of a 
cargo should be estimated below Yen 180,000 and should be of no-commercial value.  In such cases, a 
declaration shall be sent to customs, and a confirmation shall be received from the customs bureau.   II. The scale of quota shall be de termined, taking into account the balance of domestic supply and 
demand.  When the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry designates, he sh all first obtain consent 
from the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fi sheries, who has jurisdiction for the product.  
 
The scale of import quota is determined on a one-year basis, based on the forecast of 
domestic supply and demand.  A certificate of impo rt quota is issued for each application made by 
importer.  If more than one application is submitted,  the same number of certifications of import quota 
is issued in one import quota application procedure for a one-year period. 
III. The certificate of import quota is issued to importers such as traders. Importers shall submit an 
application for a certificate of import quota to the M ETI.  After obtaining the cert ificate of import quota, 
importers are issued to a certificate of import approval by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry 
based on the certificate of impor t quota.  Then importers can im port the goods concerned after 
submitting the import approval to the customs bureau. 
 
 Actual importation corresponding to the impor t quota issued is confirmed by the report of 
importation, which im porters submit to the METI every month.   Importers are requested to submit the 
report of imports according to the ap plication procedure of import quota. 
 
Unused allocations, in principle, are not added to the quota for a succeeding period as the 
allocation is determined based on the forecast of  domestic supply and demand.  However, as an 
exception, it shall be allowed to add to the period, only on condition that an importer has no responsibility for the cause of extending licences, or that prohibition from the exporter's side leads to 
extending the duration, etc. 
 The names of importers to whom a certificate for an import quota issued are published in the 
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Official Bulletin and the International Trade Bulletin. 
 IV. Publication in order to announce the informati on concerning procedures shall take place at least 
21 days prior to the first day of accepting applications.  
V. After receipt of an applicati on of import quota, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry 
shall process it as quickly as possibl e.  It would take about 3 weeks to carry out the process required by 
the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 4  
 
  
VI. An application for an import quota shall be made  prior to the import declaration.  After issuance 
of the certificate of import quota by  the Minister of Economy, Trade a nd Industry, with the certificate of 
import approval issued by the Ministry of Economy , Trade and Industry, it would be possible for an 
importer to declare an import anytime, even on the very day of the issuance of the certificate of import 
quota. 
 VII. Consideration of an import quota application shall be carrie d out only by the Ministry of 
Economy, Trade and Industry.   
VIII. The level of the import quota is determined  so that the necessary amount of goods will be 
imported.  However, in the case where the level of import quota is smaller than the total quantity applied 
for by importers, the capability of an importer is mainly taken into account, specifically, the importer's 
experience of obtaining an import quota and importing goods, using the certificate of import quota.  For 
new importers, a certain portion of import quota is available to alloca te on a "first-come first-served" 
basis. 
  Applications for an import quota are examined on receipt.  IX-XI. Not applicable.                                                          
7. Not applicable. 
 8. No application shall be refused if the standard  criteria (e.g. the period of application, the 
eligibility of application, the documentation for application) comply with the procedures. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 9. Qualification for application for a certificate of import quota is described on the application 
form.  In principle, importers who qualify for appl ication should meet any of the following three cases: 
  1.  An importer who has experience of obtaini ng the certificate of import quota and of importing 
goods using the certificate of import quota; 
  2.  An importer who is ordered to get material s by associations of seafood processors, which are 
admitted by Fisheries Agency, to obtain materials to be processed by the processors; 
 
 3.  An importer who has experience of importing foods listed in Sections 1 to 4 of the Customs 
Tariff Schedule and in tends to import items su bject to import quota with a definite plan. 
 
There is no system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation.      
Documentational and othe r requirements for application for a licence
 
 
10. An application for import quot a allocation should be submitted to the Minister of Economy, 
Trade and Industry.  Another requirement is a certific ate showing that an applic ant meets the application 
criteria.  11. A current certificate of import approval by th e Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which 
shall be based on the certificate for an import quot a issued by the Minister  of Economy, Trade and 
Industry, is required upon  actual importation. 
 12. There is no licensing fee or administrative charge for a permit.  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 5 
 
 
  
13. No deposit or advance payment is required in  connection with the issuance of permits. 
 Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. The validity term of a certific ate of import quota, issued by the Minister of Economy, Trade and 
Industry, is four months, and that of a certificat e on import approval, issued by the Ministry of 
Economy, Trade and Industry based on the certificate for an import quota, is six months.   
  Although, in principle, extension of the certif icate of import quota and import approval shall not 
be permitted, in such a case where the relevant impo rter is clearly not responsible for the inadequate 
situation, the extension may be permitted.   In the case of an application of an extension for certificates of import quota, the Ministry of 
Economy, Trade and Industry may receive the application.  
 
 In the case of an application of an extension of less than two months for a certificate of import 
approval, the customs bureau may receive the application for the extension, and in the case of more than two months, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry may receive it. 
 15. A penalty for an importer who has not utilized all or a porti on of a licence is as follows: 
  
 In cases where an allocation is made for importers who import these products on their own 
initiatives, or on a first-come, first-served basis, allo cation will not be made in the following year for an 
importer who has utilized less than 80 per cent of  the allocated quota without any justifiable reason.  
 
 In cases where an allocation is made for import ers who import these produ cts on behalf of users, 
application for quota in the following year will be li mited to the level of actu al import performance for 
an importer who has utilized less th an 90 per cent of the allocated qu ota without any justifiable reason. 
 16. Licences may not be transferred.  
17. In principle, there are no other conditi ons attached to the issuance of permit. 
Other procedural requirements
 
 18. There are no other administrative proc edures required prior to importation. 
 
19. There are no foreign exchange controls. 
  B. I
MPORT APPROVAL ITEMS  
 Outline of systems  
 
1. The Minister of Economy, Tr ade and Industry shall designate and publish a list of items of 
goods for which import approval must be obtained,  to comply with the IMPORT TRADE CONTROL 
ORDER, Article 3.  A person wishing to import an it em published in the above-mentioned list must be 
subject to import approval for im ports provided for in Article 4. 
 
 The publication by the Minister of Economy, Trad e and Industry shall be made by insertion in 
the Official Gazette, the Ministry of Economy, Trad e and Industry Official Bulletin and International 
Trade Bulletin. G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 6  
 
  
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 2. Approvals are required for the following marine products:  
(1) Marine animals and their preparations 
 HS Nos
. 01⋅06, 02⋅08, 02⋅10, 15⋅04, 15⋅21, 16⋅01, 16⋅02, 23⋅01, 23⋅09             
 (2) Fish, crustaceans, other aquatics and their preparations 
 HS Nos
. 02⋅08, 02⋅10, 03⋅01, 03⋅02, 03⋅03, 03⋅04, 03⋅05, 03⋅06, 03⋅07, 15⋅04, 15⋅06, 
16⋅04, 16⋅05, 21⋅06, 23⋅01, 23⋅09 
 
(3) Products of animal origin (marine animals, fish, crustaceans and mollusc) 
 HS Nos . 05⋅04, 05⋅06, 05⋅07, 05⋅08, 05⋅09, 05⋅11 
 (4) Seaweeds and their preparations 
 HS Nos
. 12⋅12, 21⋅06 
 (5) Whales and their preparations 
 HS Nos
. 01⋅06, 02⋅08, 02⋅10, 15⋅04, 15⋅21, 16⋅01, 16⋅02, 23⋅01, 23⋅09 
 
(6) Salmon and (sal mon) trout and their preparations 
 HS Nos . 03⋅01, 03⋅02, 03⋅03, 03⋅04, 03⋅05, 16⋅04 
 
(7) Blue fin tuna and their preparations 
       HS Nos . 03⋅01, 03⋅02, 03⋅03, 03⋅04, 03⋅05, 16⋅04, 23⋅01, 23⋅09 
 
(8)     Big eye tuna and their preparations 
       HS Nos . 03⋅01, 03⋅02, 03⋅03, 03⋅04, 03⋅05, 16⋅04, 23⋅01, 23⋅09 
 (9)   North Atlantic Swordfish and their preparations 
      HS Nos
. 03⋅01, 03⋅02, 03⋅03, 03⋅04, 03⋅05, 16⋅04, 23⋅01, 23⋅09 
 3.(1) The approval system applies from paragraphs  2(1) to 2(4) to those products fished from 
waters outside those of Japan (in case of shipment only) (excluding the case of shipment from 
harbours of foreign countries and  the case of import by fishing boats, which have left 
Japanese territory excep t when the goods have been trans-shipped from fishing boats which 
have left places other than Japanese territory.). 
 (2) The approval system applies to paragraph 2( 5), above regarding the non-member countries of 
the IWC and the IWC members which have conducted the whaling. 
(3) The approval system applies to paragraph 2( 6) for those coming from the People's Republic of 
China, North Korea and Taiwan. 
(4) The approval system applies to paragraph 2(7)  for those coming from Belize, Equatorial 
Guinea and Sierra Leone (if places of origin are these countries). 
 
(5) The approval system applies to paragraph 2(8) for those coming from Belize, Bolivia, 
Cambodia,  Equatorial Guinea, Saint Vincent a nd Sierra Leone (if places of origin are these 
countries). 
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 7 
 
 
 (6) The approval system applies to paragraph 2(9) for those coming from Belize, Sierra Leone (if 
places of origin are these countries). 
 4. The licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports.  
 The objective of the measures described in 2(1)-(4 ) is to ensure that the fish products caught by 
foreign fishermen and imported to  Japan do not adversely affect fishing activities by Japanese 
fishermen.    The objective of restriction of above 2(5) is to comply with the resolution of the IWC, which 
restricts the import of whale meats and whale products from non- IWC members to IWC members. 
  The objective of the measure described in 2(6) is to observe the provisions of Article 66 of 
UNCLOS, regarding the principles for the anadromonas stocks with reference to the state of its origin. 
The objective of restriction of 2(7)-(9)above is to observe the resolution of the ICCAT. 
 
5. The approval system is a statutory requ irement of the IMPORT  TRADE CONTROL ORDER 
Article 4.1.(2).  The controlled it ems shall be published as an IMPORT NOTICE in the Official Gazette.  
It is possible for the government to  abolish the system without legi slative approval, however, consent 
shall be required from the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, who has jurisdiction for these 
products. 
 
Procedures
 
 6. Not applicable.  
7. No quantitative limit on th e importation of a product.  
 (a) The items subject to import approval canno t be imported without a certificate of import 
approval.  An importer shall apply for import approval , taking into consideration the processing time for 
application, which is around two weeks.   
(b) Due to sufficient time being required for examination, an approval cannot be granted 
immediately on request. 
(c) There is no limitation as to period of the year  during which an application for import approval 
may be made.  
(d) Consideration of an applicati on for import approval shall be carried out only by the Ministry of 
Economy, Trade and Industry. 
  8. See reply of import quot a items in marine products. 
 Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. Any person, firm or institution which fulfils th e legal requirements shall be equally eligible to 
apply for and obtain import approval.  Documentational and othe r requirements for application for a licence
 
 
10. A person wishing to obtain import approval sha ll submit to the Minister of Economy, Trade and 
Industry, an application document and an a pplication reason paper for import licences. 
   G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 8  
 
  In case of paragraph 2(5), an importer shall submit the confir mation issued by the Fisheries 
Agency, when the goods have originated in or have  been shipped from Brazil, Iceland, Norway, Peru, 
South Korea, Spain and Russia.    In case of paragraph 2(6), an importer shall submit the confir mation issued by the Fisheries 
Agency, when the goods have origin ated in or have been shipped from China and North Korea.  An 
importer shall submit the certificate issued by the Taiwan Authorities, which certifies that the salmon and salmon products are not caught by Fishing boats of  Taiwan, when the goods have originated in or 
have been shipped from Taiwan.  
 In case of paragraph 2(7), an importer shall submit the conformation issued by the Fisheries 
Agency, when the goods have originated in Belize, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone. 
  In case of paragraph 2(8), an importer shall submit the conformation issued by the Fisheries Agency, when the goods have originated in Be lize, Republic of Bolivia, Cambodia, Equatorial 
Guinea, Saint Vincent and Sierra Leone. 
  In case of paragraph 2(9), an importer shall submit the conformation issued by the Fisheries Agency, when the goods have origin ated in Belize and Sierra Leone. 
 11. A current certificate of import approval by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry is 
required upon actual importation. 
 12-13. See reply of import quot a items in marine products. 
               Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. The validity term for certification shall be six months as from the date when the above-mentioned approval was granted.  The Minister  of Economy, Trade and Industry, when he deems 
it necessary to do so in consideration of special ci rcumstances, may designate a validity term different 
from that mentioned above or may extend the validity term of the approval of import.  
 
 In the case of an application of extension of less than two months of  certification, customs 
bureau may receive the application, and in the case of  more than two months the Ministry of Economy, 
Trade and Industry may receive it.  15-17. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section.  
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 18-19. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
  II. MEDICINES AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 
Outline of systems
 
 1. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. Permits are required for the followi ng medicines and chemical products:  
 HS No.  Description of Goods  
 ex 1211 Narcotic, chemical products, category    G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 9 
 
 
  ex 1301, 1302, ex 2524, ex 2903, ex 2904, ex 2907, ex 2909, ex 2910, 2914, ex 2918, ex 2921, 
ex 2922, ex 2924, ex 2926, ex 2930, ex 2931, ex 2932, ex 2933, ex 2934, ex 2939, ex 3002, ex 3003, ex 3004, ex 3404, ex 3506, ex 3605, ex 3822, ex 3824, ex 4005, ex 4016, ex 6811, ex 6812, ex 6813 
 
3. The permit system applies to  products coming from all countries. 
 4. Licensed products shall be restricted quantitativ ely, which protect the life and health of humans, 
animals and plants.  A certificate for an import quota shall be issued to a person obtaining permission 
from the Ministry (Ministry of Agri culture, Forestry and Fisheries or  Ministry of Health, Labour and 
Welfare) which has jurisdiction for the particular good s. When an ordinary business unit is manifold, the 
scale of import quota shall be transa cted according to the value of import for the sake of convenience.  
 5. The permit system is a statutory require ment of the IMPORT TRADE CONTROL ORDER, 
Article 4.1(1) and Article 9.1(1).  The controlled items shall be published as an "IMPORT NOTICE" in 
the Official Gazette.  Legislation leaves the designation of  products subject to  licensing up to 
administrative discretion.  It is  possible for the government to abo lish the system without legislative 
approval, however, the consent shall be required fro m the Minister (Minister of Agriculture, Forestry 
and Fisheries or Mini ster of Health, Labour a nd Welfare), who has jurisdiction for the particular goods. 
                                                         Procedures
 
 
6. The permit system applies to products coming from all countries.  
 I. Information concerning application for import quotas shall be published in the Ministry of 
Economy, Trade and Industry Official Bulleti n and the Internationa l Trade Bulletin.  
 
 The total amount is published in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and I ndustry Official Bulletin 
and others.  The classification of the impo rt quota is made by item, as follows: 
  - Medicines   - Chemical products 
 - Vaccines against foot and mouth disease 
  With regard to cases where an application for import licence is not necessary, the value of a cargo should be estimated below Yen 180,000 and of no-commercial value.  In such cases, a declaration 
shall be sent to customs, and a confirmation shall be received from the customs bureau.  
 II. The scale of quota shall be de termined based on the protection of  the life and health of humans, 
animals and plants.  When the Minister of Economy , Trade and Industry designates, an importer shall 
first obtain consent from the Minister  (Minister of Agriculture, Forest ry and Fisheries or Minister of 
Health, Labour and Welfare), who ha s jurisdiction for that particular good.  The scale of an import quota 
shall be determined on a one-year or  six-month basis.  In principl e, for one import quota application 
procedure, an application shall be made once only, and the certificate for an import quota is issued based 
on this application.  If several appl ications are made, several certificat es based on these applications can 
be issued. 
 III. Licensed products shall be restricted quantitativ ely, which protect the life and health of humans, 
animals and plants.  A certificate for an import quota shall be issued  to a person and obtained by using 
permission from the Ministry (Ministry of Agricultur e, Forestry and Fisheries or Ministry of Health, 
Labour and Welfare), which has juri sdiction for the particular good.  
 
 In principle, there is no confirmation whether a certificate of import quot a is actually used for G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 10  
 
 imports or not.  Unused allocations are not added to  the quota for a succeeding period as the allocation is 
determined based on the forecast of  domestic supply and demand.  
 
 The names of importers to whom a certificate for an import quota has been issued are not 
made public, because a person who obtains the above certificate is from a private company, and the substance of the import quota is a private co mpany's secret (e.g. contract contents). 
IV-VII. See reply of import quota it ems in marine products section. 
 
VIII. When the scale of an import quota application is within the limit of the size of a quota 
calculated by every application fact or, the demand for licences can be fu lly satisfied.  Applications are 
examined on receipt.  IX-XI. See reply of import quota it ems in marine products section. 
 
7-8. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 9. The eligibility for an import quota a pplication is different for each item. 
 
 - Narcotic:  a person who has obtained perm ission from the Minister of Health, Labour 
and Welfare 
 - Chemical products:  a person wishing to import for the purpose of testing and research, 
or a person who has been given an order from them 
 - Vaccine:  a person who has obtained perm ission from the Minister of Health, Labour 
and Welfare, or a person who has b een given an unofficial notice from the 
Director-General, Medicine Bureau, Mi nistry of Health, Labour and Welfare 
 
 The eligibility for an import quota comes under  any one of the above, and there is no other 
registration system.   Documentational and othe r requirements for application for a licence
 
 10-13. See reply of import quot a items in marine products. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 14. The validity term of a certific ate of import quota, issued by the Minister of Economy, Trade and 
Industry, is four months, and that  of a certificate on import approval, issued by the Ministry of 
Economy, Trade and Industry based on the certificate for an import quota, is six months.. 
 15. In principle, there is no penalty for the non- utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence. 
 16-17. See reply of import quot a items in marine products. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 18-19. See reply of import it ems in marine products. 
   G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 11 
 
 
 III. PROPELLANT POWDERS 
Outline of systems  
 1. See reply of import quota items in marine products. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 2. Permits are required for prop ellant powders as follows: 
  HS No.
  Description of Goods  
 3601  Propellant powders, prepared explosives, safety  
 3602  fuses, etc.  ex 3603  3. See reply of medicine s and chemical products. 
 
4. In principle, licensed products shall be r estricted quantitatively, for security purposes.  A 
certificate for an import quota shall be issued to a person and obtained by manufacturing or selling 
permission. 
5. The permit system is a statutory require ment of the IMPORT TRADE CONTROL ORDER, 
ARTICLE 4.1.(1) and Article 9.1. (1).  The controlled items shall be published as an "IMPORT 
NOTICE" in the Offici al Gazette. Legislation leaves the desi gnation of products subject to licensing up 
to administrative discretion.  It  would be possible for the government to abolish the system without 
legislative approval.  Procedures
 
 
6. The permit system applies to products coming from all countries.  
 I. The information about an import quota's applic ation shall be published in the Ministry of 
Economy, Trade and Industry Official Bulleti n and the Internatio nal Trade Bulletin. 
 
 The total amount is not published. 
  With regard to cases whereby an application for import licensing is not necessary, the value 
of a cargo should be estimated below Yen 180,000 a nd of no-commercial value.  In such cases, a 
declaration shall be sent to customs, and a confirmation shall be received from the customs bureau.             
II. The scale of a quota shall be determined based on the protection of national security.  The 
scale of an import quota shall be determined on a one-year basis.  
 In principle, for one import quota application procedure, an application shall be made once 
only, and the certificate for an import quota is issued  based on this application.  If more than one 
application is submitted, the same number of certif ications of import quota is issued in one import 
quota application procedure. 
III. Licensed products shall be restricted quantitativ ely, for security purposes.  A certificate for an 
import quota shall be issued to a person and obtai ned by manufacturing or selling permission.   
 In principle, there is no confirmation whether a certificate of import quota is actually used for 
imports or not.  In principle, unused allocations are not added to the quota for a succeeding period as G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 12  
 
 the allocation is determined based  on the forecast of domestic supply and demand.  However, as an 
exception, it shall be allowed to add to the period, only on condition that an importer has no responsibility for the cause of extending licences, or that prohibition from the exporter’s side leads to 
extending the duration etc. 
 The names of importers to whom a certificate for an import quota have been issued are not 
made public, because a person who obt ains the above certificate is from a private company and the 
substance of the import quota is a private co mpany's secret (e.g. contract contents). 
IV-VII. See reply of import quota it ems in marine products section. 
 VIII. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 
IX-XI. See reply of import quota it ems in marine products section. 
 7-8. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 9. Only a person who has obtained manufacturing or selling permission is eligible to apply for an 
import quota.    The eligibility for an import quota comes under  any one of the above.  There is no other 
registration system.  
 Documentational and othe r requirements for application for a licence
 
 10-13. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 14-15. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 16-17. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 18-19. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
 
IV. NUCLEAR GOODS 
Outline of systems
 
 1. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 2. Permits are required for nuclear goods, as follows: 
  HS No.
  Description of Goods  
 2612  Nuclear materials, nucl ear fuel, nuclear reactors, 
 ex 2844  instruments and ap paratus containing nuclear    G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 13 
 
 
  ex 8109  fuel materials, for measuring or detecting 
 8401  ionising radiations, tubes of zirconium etc.  ex 9030              3. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 
4. In principle, licensed products shall be restricted quantitatively, for security purposes.  A certificate for an import quota shall be issued to  a person who deals with refinement, processing, 
establishing nuclear reactors, or reprocessing, af ter having obtained the a bove-mentioned permission. 
 
5. See reply of propellant powders section. 
 Procedures
 
 6. The approval system applies to  products coming from all countries. 
 
I-II. See reply of prope llant powders section. 
 III. Licensed products shall be restricted quantitativ ely, for security purposes.  A certificate for an 
import quota shall be issued to a person who refi nes, processes, establishes nuclear reactors, or 
reprocesses, after having obtained the above-mentioned permission. 
 In principle, there is no confirmation whether a certificate of import quota is actually used for 
imports or not.  In principle, unused allocations are not added to the quota for a succeeding period as 
the allocation is determined based  on the forecast of domestic supply and demand.  However, as an 
exception, it shall be allowed to add to the period, only on condition that an importer has no responsibility for the cause of extending licences, or that prohibition by exporter’s side leads to 
extending the duration etc. 
 The names of importers to whom a certificate for an import quota has been issued are not 
made public because a person who obtains the above  certificate is from a private company and the 
substance of the import quota is a private co mpany's secret (e.g. contract contents). 
IV-VII. See reply of import quota it ems in marine products section. 
 
VIII. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 IX-XI. See reply of import quota it ems in marine products section. 
 7-8. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 9. A person who refines, processes, establishes nuclear reactors or re processes after having 
obtained the above-mentioned pe rmission is eligible to apply for an import quota. 
 
 The eligibility for an import quota comes under  any one of the above.  There is no other 
registration system.                                                Documentational and othe r requirements for application for a licence
 
 
10-13. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 14  
 
 Conditions of licensing
 
 14-15. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 16-17. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 18-19. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
 
V. WEAPONS 
Outline of systems
 
 1. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 2. Approvals are required for weapons, as follows: 
  HS No.
 Description of Goods  
 ex 8411 Weapons, ammunition and parts thereof etc. 
 ex 8412, 8710, ex 8802, ex 8906, 9301, 9302, 9303, 9304, ex 9305, 9306, 9307   3. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 
4. In principle, licensed products shall be restricted quantitatively, for security purposes.  A 
certificate for an import quota shall be issued to a person who is entrusted impo rts by public bodies in 
the state or at local level, or w ho obtains manufacturing permission. 
 5. See reply of propellant powders section.  
Procedures
 
 6.I-II. See reply of prope llant powders section. 
 III. Licensed products shall be restricted quantitativ ely, for security purposes.  A certificate for an 
import quota shall be issued to a person who entruste d import by public bodies in the state or at local 
level, or who obtains manufacturing permission.  Confirmation whether a certificate of import quota is actually used for imports or not shall be made by submitting the import result reports from 
importers every month.  Concerning the above-men tioned reports, the importer shall be obliged to 
submit them. 
 In principle, unused allocations are not added to the quota for a succeeding period as the 
allocation is determined based on the forecast of  domestic supply and demand.  However, as an 
exception, it shall be allowed to add to the period, only on condition that an importer has no responsibility for the cause of extending licences, or that prohibition from the exporter's side leads to 
extending the duration etc. 
 The names of importers to whom a certificate for an import quota has been issued are not 
made public, because a person who obtains the above certificate is from a private company, and the 
substance of the import quota is a private co mpany's secret (e.g. contract contents).  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 15 
 
 
 IV-VII. See reply of import quota it ems in marine products section. 
 VIII. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 IX-XI. See reply of import quota it ems in marine products section. 
 
7-8. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. A person who is entrusted to import by public bodi es in the state or at local level, or who 
obtains manufacturing permission is elig ible to apply for an import quota. 
  The eligibility for an import quota comes under  any one of the above.  There is no other 
registration system.                                                    
 
Documentational and othe r requirements for application for a licence
 
 10-13. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 Conditions of licensing
 
 
14-15. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 16-17. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 18-19. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
  
VI. SILK PRODUCTS, SILK YARN, WOVEN FABRICS OF SILK, GAUZE OF SILK 
A. I
MPORT QUOTA ITEMS  
Outline of systems  
 1.     See reply of import quota items in marine products section.  
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 2.      Approvals are required fo r woven fabrics of silk as follows: 
HS No. ex5007 - Woven fabrics of silk (excluding  fabrics of noil and of silk and other fibre 
mixture) 
      HS No. ex5803 - Gauze of silk 
 
3. The approval system applies to products coming from the People's Republic of China.  4. In principle, licensed products shall be restri cted quantitatively.  The approval system is to 
secure the results of bilateral agreements. Alte rnative methods of accomplishing the purposes have 
not been considered. 
5. See reply of propellant powders section. G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 16  
 
  
Procedures
 
 6.I. Information relating to the application of  import quotas shall be published in the Official 
Gazette, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Indust ry Official Bulletin and the International Trade 
Bulletin.  The total amount shall be published in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry 
Official Bulletin and others.  The classification of the import quotas is made by item, as follows:        Item
                                                Originating country  
      Woven fabrics of silk (excluding fabri cs of noil and      People's Republic of China 
      of silk and other fibre mixture) 
      Gauze of silk  With regard to cases whereby an application for import licence is not necessary the value of a cargo 
should be estimated below ¥180,000 and of no commercial value.  In su ch cases, a declaration shall 
be sent to customs, and confirmation shall be received from the customs bureau. 
 II. The scale of quota shall be determined taking in to account bilateral agreements.  The scale of 
import quota is determined on a yearly basis, based on the forecast of domestic supply and demand.  A certificate of import quota is issued for each app lication made by importers.  If more than one 
application is submitted, the same number of certif ications of import quota are issued in one import 
quota application for a one-year period. 
III. The certificate of import quota is issued to impor ters such as traders.  Importers shall submit 
an application for a certificate of import quota to the METI.  After obtaining the certificate of import 
quota, importers are issued a certificate of approval by the METI, based on the certificate of import quota.  Importers can then import the goods concer ned after submitting the import approval to the 
customs bureau. 
 
Actual importation corresponding to the import quota issued is confirmed by the report of 
importation which importers submit to the METI ever y month.  Importers are requested to submit the 
report of imports according to the application procedure of import quota.   
 
Unused allocations, in principle, are not a dded to the quota for a succeeding period as the 
allocation is determined based on the forecast of domestic supply and demand.  However, as an 
exception, it shall be allowed to add to the pe riod only on the condition that an importer has no 
responsibility for the cause of extending licenses or that  prohibition from the exporter's side leads to 
extending the duration etc. 
 
The name of importers to whom a certificate fo r an import quota has been issued is not made 
public because a person who obtains the above cer tificate is from a private company and the 
substance of the import quota is a private company's secret. 
 
IV-VII. See reply of import quota items in marine products section.  VIII. See reply of medicines and chemical products section. 
 
IX. In cases where export licences are issued, import licences are necessary.  Import licences are 
not issued automatically.  X. Not applicable.  
XI. See reply of import quota items in marine products section.  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 17 
 
 
  
7. No quantitative limit on the im portation of a product section. 
8. See reply of import quota items in marine products section. Eligibility of importers to apply for a licence
 
 
9. Qualification for application of the certificat e of import quota is described on the application 
form.  In principle, importers who qualify for app lication should be one of the following two cases: 
 -     an importer who has experience of obtaining the certificate of import quota and of      
importing goods using the certificate of import quota; 
- an importer who intends to import items subject  to the import quota with a definite plan. 
  There is no system of registration of persons  or firms approved to engage in importation. 
 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence
 
 
10-13. See reply of import quota items in marine products section.  Conditions of licensing
 
 14-15. See reply of medicines and chemical products section. 
 
16-17. See reply of import quota items in marine products section.  Other procedural requirements
 
 
18-19. See reply of import quota items in marine products section. 
  B. I
MPORT APPROVAL ITEMS  
Outline of systems  
 
1. See reply of import approval item s in marine products section. 
 Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 2. Approvals are required for : 
 
(1) Yarn of man-made fibers (continuous), fa brics of silk and other fiber mixtures 
(excluding textured fabrics a nd scoured fabrics), woven pile  fabrics, cordage, bonded 
fiber fabrics and knitted or crocheted fabric s and warp knit fabrics using raw silk, and 
also that will be used as raw silk by unsewing. 
 
HS Nos. 50.07, 51.11, 51.12, 52.08, 52.09, 52.10, 52.11, 52.12, 53.09, 53.10, 53.11, 54.01, 
54.02, 54.03, 54.06, 54.07, 54.08, 55.12, 55.13, 55.14, 55.15, 55.16, 56.03, 56.07, 58.01, 58.02, 
58.03, 58.04, 58.06, 58.09, 59.02, 59.11, 60.02, 60.03, 60.04, 60.06 
 (2) Silk Yarn G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 18  
 
 HS Nos. 50.04, 50.06, 50.07, 51.11, 51.12, 52.08, 52.09, 52.10, 52.11, 54.03, 54.06, 54.07, 
54.08, 55.12, 55.13, 55.14, 55.15, 55.16, 56.03, 56.07, 58.01, 58.02, 58.03, 58,04, 58.06, 58.09, 
59.02, 59.11, 60.02, 60.03, 60.04, 60.06  (3) Woven fabrics of silk:  HS No. 50.07 
 
(4) Gauze of silk:  HS No. 58.03 
 (5) Lap robe, bed linen, table linen, curtain, bag for packing, tarpaulin and other products 
used woven fabrics of silk and will be used as woven fabrics of silk 
HS Nos. 63.01, 63.02, 63.03, 63.04, 63.05, 63.06, 63.07 
 
3.  
(1) The approval system applies to paragraph 2( 1) for those coming fro m Brazil, Republic of 
Bulgaria, France, Hellenic Republic, Hong Kong, India, Republic of Ital y, Democratic People's 
Republic of Korea, People's Re public of China, Republic of Korea, Romania, Taiwan, the 
United Kingdom, and Socialis t Republic of Viet Nam . 
 (2) The approval system applies to paragraph 2(2)  for those coming from People’s Republic of 
China. 
 
(3) The approval system applies to paragraph 2(3) for those coming from People's Republic of 
China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Taiwan. 
 (4) The approval system applies to paragraph 2(4) for those coming from People's Republic of 
China. 
 
(5) The approval system applies to paragraph 2(5) for those coming from People's Republic of 
China and Japan. 
 4. The licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports.  The approval system 
is to secure the results of bilateral agreements .  Alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes 
have not been considered. 
 5-6. See reply of import approval items in marine products section. 
 7.(a)   The items subject to import approval can not be imported without a certificate of import 
approval.  An importer shall apply for import a pproval taking into consideration the processing time 
for application, which is around three weeks.  (b) Due to sufficient time being required for examination, an approval cannot be granted 
immediately on request.   
(c)  Limitation of application for import approval is determined in the information concerning 
procedures.  (d) Consideration of an application for import approval shall be carried out by the METI. 
 
8. No application shall be refused if the standard  criteria (e.g. the period of application, the 
eligibility of application, the documentation for application) comply with the procedures. 
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 19 
 
 
 Eligibility of importers to apply for licence  
 9. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 Documentational and othe r requirements for application for a licence
 
 
10. A person wishing to obtain the import approval shall submit to the Minister of Economy, Trade 
and Industry, an application document and an application reason paper for import licences. 
 11-13. See reply of import approval items in marine products section. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 14-17. See reply of import approval items in marine products section. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 18-19. See reply of import approval items in marine product section. 
  
VII. WILD ANIMALS AND PLANTS 
A. I
MPORT QUOTA ITEMS  
Outline of systems  
 1. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 2. Permits are required for: 
  (1) Animals (excluding sperm wh ale, beaked whale, mink whale, sei whale, bryde's whale 
and fin whale) and plants included in Appendix Ⅰ of the Convention on International 
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (hereafter referred to as the 
"Washington Conventi on") and their part. 
  (2) Eggs, seeds, bulbs, fruits  (including peel), stuffed or processed animal products and 
plants subject to the Washington Convention. 
 
3. The permit system applies to  products coming from all countries. 
 4. In principle, the approval system shall be intended to restrict the value of imports.  The approval system shall function to perform the duty of a treaty.  A certificate for an import quota shall be issued for 
a transaction based on the control of a treaty. 
 5. See reply of propellant powders section.  Procedures
 
 
6. In principle, the permit system ap plies to products coming from all countries. 
 G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 20  
 
 I. The information about applications for import  quotas shall be published in the Ministry of 
Economy, Trade and Industry Official Bulleti n and the Internatio nal Trade Bulletin. 
  The total amount is not published.  
 In principle, there is no exception or derogation from the licensing requirements. 
 II. The scale of a quota shall be determined based on the performance of the duty of the treaty.  
The scale of an import quota shall be determined on a one-year basis.  
 In principle, for one import quota application procedure, an application shall be made once 
only, and the certificate for an import quota is issued  based on this application.  If more than one 
application is submitted, the same number of certif ications of import quota are issued in one import 
quota application procedure. 
III. Licensed products shall be restricted quantita tively, which performs the duty of a treaty.  A 
certificate for an import quota shall be issued to a person who has been through the procedure based 
on the performance of the duty of the treaty. 
 Whether a certificate of import quota is actually used for imports or not is confirmed by the 
report of importation which importers are obliged to submit every month. 
 In principle, unused allocations are not added to the quotas for a succeeding period. 
 
 The names of importers to whom a certificate for an import quota has been issued are not 
made public, because a person who obtains above cer tificates is from a private company, and the 
substance of the import quota is a private co mpany's secret (e.g. contract contents). 
IV-VII. See reply of import quota it ems in marine products section. 
 
VIII. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 IX. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 X. When imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, the validity of the export 
permits shall be ascertained from the exporting co untry.  The result shall be shown through the 
issuance of a certificate for an import quota to the importer. 
XI. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 7-8. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 9. Only importers concerned with museums or zoos, and imports for sc ientific research, as well as 
imports of artificial propagation an imals or plants for businesses, and the imports of animals or plants 
that have been acquired are elig ible to apply for import quotas. 
 
 The eligibility for importers to apply for an impor t quota is one of the above.  There is no other 
registration system.      G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 21 
 
 
 Documentational and othe r requirements for application for a licence  
 10-13. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 Conditions of licensing
 
 
14. The validity term of a certificate for an impor t quota, issued by the Mi nister of International 
Trade and Industry is four months, and that of a cert ificate for import approval, issued by the Ministry 
of Economy, Trade and Industry based on the certificate for an import quota is six months.  
 
15. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 16. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 17. Another condition concerning the issuance of a lic ence is that when making a declaration to a 
customs bureau, a certificate for import approval shall be issued based on a certificate for an import 
quota, upon submission to the customs authorities of th e original of the export permit or the certificate 
of re-export. 
Other procedural requirements
 
 18-19. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
 B. I
MPORT APPROVAL ITEMS  
Outline of systems  
 
1. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 2. Approvals are required for:  
 (1) Animals and plants belonging to specie s listed in Annex II of the Washington 
Convention (except for whales and their prepar ations), plus their parts and derivatives 
(for plants, only those parts and de rivatives specified in Annex II). 
  (2) Animals and plants belonging to specie s listed in Annex III of the Washington 
Convention, plus their parts and derivatives. 
 3. The approval system applies to paragraphs  2.(1) and (2) coming from non-members of the 
Washington Convention having no competent authority.  4. The licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. The approval  system is 
to perform the duty of a treaty.  In principle, a certif icate of import approval is not issued.  Alternative 
methods of accomplishing the purpose  have not been considered.  
 5. The approval system is a statutory requirement of the IMPORT TRADE CONTROL ORDER, ARTICLE 4.1.(2).  Legisl ation leaves the designation of products  and goods originating or coming from 
which country to be subjected to li censing to administrative discreti on.  It would be possible for the 
government to abolish the system without legislative approval.  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 22  
 
 Procedures
 
 6. Not applicable.   7. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 
8. In principle, approval shall not be given.  
 Eligibility of importers to apply for a licence
 
 
9. Not applicable. 
 Documentational and ot her requirements for application for licence
 
 10-13. Not applicable. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 14-17. Not applicable.  Other procedural requirements
 
 
18-19. Not applicable.   
VIII.  SUBSTANCES WHICH DEPLETE TH E OZONE LAYER, SPECIFIED 
HAZARDOUS WASTES, WASTE CHEMICAL WEAPONS GOODS 
A. I
MPORT QUOTA ITEMS  
Outline of systems  
 1. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. Approvals are required for controlled  substances listed in: Annex A, Group I (excluding Import 
approval items in Substances whic h Deplete the Ozone Layer, those us ed as raw materi als for producing 
other substances and those used for laboratory a nd analytical purpose); Annex A, Group II (excluding 
Import approval items in Substances which Deplete the Ozone Layer, and those used as raw materials 
for producing other substances); Annex B (excl uding Import approval items in Substances which 
Deplete the Ozone Layer, those used as raw material s for producing other substances and those used for 
laboratory and analytical purpose); Annex C, Group I (excluding  those used as raw materials for 
producing other substances); Annex C, Group II (exclu ding Import approval item s in Substances which 
Deplete the Ozone Layer, and those used as raw mate rials for producing other substances);  Annex C, 
Group III (excluding those used as ra w materials for producing other subs tances );  Annex E (excluding 
Import approval items in Substanc es which Deplete the Ozone Layer, those used as raw materials for 
producing other substances and those used for the guar antee of the export or import of cargo) of the 
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. 
  
3. The approval system applies to products coming from all countries.  
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 23 
 
 
 4. In principle, the permit system shall be intended to restrict the quantity of imports.  The 
approval system shall function to perform the duty of the Montreal Protocol.  A certificate for an import 
quota shall be issued for tran sactions that are made base d on the control of a treaty. 
 5. See reply of propellant powders section. 
 
Procedures
 
 6.I. See reply of prope llant powders section.; 
 
II. The amount of a quota shall be determin ed based on the performance according to the 
Protocol.  The amount of an import quota shall be determined on a one-year basis.  In principle, for one import quota application procedure,  an application shall be made once only, and the certificate for 
an import quota is issued based on this applica tion.  If several applications are made, several 
certificates based on these applications can be issued. 
III. Licensed products shall be restricted quantitativ ely, which performs the duty of the Protocol.  
A certificate for an import quota shall be issued to  a person who has been through the procedure based 
on the performance according to the objectives of a treaty.   Whether a certificate for an import quota is actually used for imports or not shall be made by submitting the report on import results which the importer is obliged to submit every month. 
 
 In principle, unused allocations are not added to the quota for a succeeding period as the allocation is determined based on the forecast of  domestic supply and demand.  However, as an 
exception, it shall be allowed, only on condition th at an importer has no responsibility for the cause of 
extending licences, or that prohibition from the exporter's side leads to extending the duration etc. 
 
IV-VII. See reply of import quota it ems in marine products section. 
 VIII. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 IX-XI. See reply of import quota it ems in marine products section. 
 
7-8. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. Only a person who carries out transactions th at are made based on the control of a treaty is 
eligible to apply for an import quota.   The eligibility for an import  quota comes under any one of the above, and there is  no other 
registration system.  
Documentational and othe r requirements for application for a licence
 
 10-13. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 Conditions of licensing
 
 
14-15. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 16-17. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 24  
 
  
Other procedural requirements
 
 18-19. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
 
B. I
MPORT APPROVAL ITEMS  
Outline of systems  
 1. See reply of import approval  items in marine products. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 2. Approvals are required for:  
 (1) Controlled substances li sted in Annex A, B, C, Group II, Group III, D, E of the 
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer coming from non-
members of the Montreal Protocol on Su bstances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 
  (2) Specified hazardous wastes in item 1 of  Section 2 of the Law for the Control of the 
Export and Import of Specified Haza rdous Wastes and Other Wastes 
 
 (3) Wastes in item 1 of Section 2 of th e Waste Management a nd Public Cleaning Law 
(except for wastes produced from ship or ai rcraft navigation in Article 4.2 and for a 
person who enters Ja pan carrying wastes) 
 
 (4) Specified products in item  3 of Section 2 and the chemical substances specified in item 
5 of Section 2 of the Law on the Prohib ition of Chemical We apons and Regulation 
  3.  (1) The approval system applies to paragra ph 2.(1), with regard to that coming from all 
countries excluding members of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the 
Ozone Layer.  
  (2) The approval system applie s to paragraphs 2.(2) to 2.(4), with regard to that coming 
from all countries. 
 
4. The approval system is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports.  It exists to 
perform the functions of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, the Basel 
Convention on the Control of Movements of Hazar dous Wastes and Their Disposal, Waste Disposal 
and the Public Cleansing Law, the Law on the Pr ohibition of Chemical Weapons and the Regulation 
of Specific Chemicals. Alternative methods of  accomplishing the purpose have not yet been 
considered. 
5. The approval system is a statutory requirement of the IMPORT TRADE CONTROL ORDER, 
ARTICLE 4.1.(2).  Legislation le aves the designation of produc ts subject to licensing up to 
administrative discretion.  It is  possible for the government to abo lish the system without legislative 
approval.   
Procedures
 
 6. Not applicable.  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 25 
 
 
  
7. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 8. No application shall be refused if standard crit eria (e.g. period of application, the eligibility of 
application, documentation for applic ation) comply with the procedures. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 9. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 
Documentational and othe r requirements for application for a licence
 
 10. A person wishing to have an allocation of an import approval shall submit to the Minister of 
International Trade and Industry, an application, and an application reason paper for import approval 
allocation. 
 
11-13. See reply of import approval items in marine products section. 
 Conditions of licensing
 
 14-15. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 
16. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 17. In principle, there are no other conditions attached to the issuance of an approval. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 18-19. See reply of import approv al items in marine products. 
  
IX. ALCOHOL 
Outline of systems
 
 1.     An importer who intends to import alcohol (which contains alcohol of 90 per cent by vol. or 
higher (HS No. 2207.10)) for the purpose of test, research or analysis shall obtain the approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry for each import.  
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 2. An importer who intends to import alcohol (whi ch contains alcohol of 90 per cent by vol. or 
higher (HS No. 2207.10)) for the purpose of test, research or analysis shall obtain the approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry for each import. 
 
3. The system applies to products coming from all countries.  4. This system does not regulate the volume or value of imports.  However, the quantity must be appropriate judging from the purpose of its use. The purpose of the approval system is to allow those 
who are not the permitted importers to import alcohol for the purpose of using it for test, research or 
analysis.  (In principle, no such approval is re quired for import of alcohol by an importer with the 
permission of the import business under the Article 16 of the Alcohol Business Law.)  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 26  
 
 5. The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry gives approval in accordance with Article 17 of 
the Alcohol Business Law. The system does not l eave any administrative discretion to designate 
which products are subject to the law. Legislation is necessary to abolish the licensing system.  Procedures
 
 
6. Although there is no import quota, the quantit y of imports must be appropriate judging from 
the purpose of its use. The approval system applies to products coming from all countries.   I. An application shall be submitted in accordan ce with application form No. 17 of  the Alcohol 
Business Law,  which was published in “KAMPO” (Official Government Gazette) dated 5 October 
2000.  II. There is no import quota.  
III-IV. A quota system is not applicable. 
 V. The process of application is carried out within two weeks.  VI. Importers may declare import any time after they obtain import approval in accordance with 
Alcohol Business Law. 
 
VII. Approval is given only by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.  VIII-IX. There is no import quota.  
X. Not applicable. 
 XI. Approval shall be granted only when alcohol is  imported for the purpose of test, research, or 
analysis.    7.(a) An importer shall apply for import approval, taking into account the time, which usually takes 
two weeks. 
 (b) It usually takes two weeks to obtain an impor t approval. It can not be granted immediately on 
request.  
(c) There is no limitation. 
 (d) An importer has to approach only the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.  8. No application shall be refused if an app lication complies with the ordinary criteria of 
application procedures.  In case that an application for a licen se is refused, reasons for the refusal 
should be explained to the applicant. The applicant ca n also request for examination to the Minister of 
Economy, Trade and Industry in accordance with the Administrative Appeal Law.  
 Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. There is no restriction. 
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 27 
 
 
 Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
 10. Application for the import approval shall be submitted to the Minister of Economy, Trade and 
Industry in accordance with the application form No.17 of enforcement regulation of the Alcohol 
Business Law.  
11. A valid certificate of import approval issued by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry 
is required upon an actual arrival.   12-13. Not applicable. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 14. The import approval should be given to the every conduct of import for the purpose of test, research or analysis. Therefore, importers of alcohol shall obtain approval of the Minister of 
Economy, Trade and Industry for each shipment and su ch approval is valid only for the each occasion 
of import, and there is no term of validity.  15. There is no penalty for the non-utilization of a license or a part of a license.   16. See reply 16 of Import quota items in Marine products section. 
 
17. See reply 17 of Import quota items in Marine products section.  Other procedural requirements
 
 
18. See reply 18 of Import quota items in Marine products section. 
 19. See reply 19 of Import quota items in Marine products section.   
X. ROUGH DIAMONDS 
Outline of systems
 
 1. See reply of import approval item s in marine products section. 
 Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. Approvals are required for rough diamonds:  HS No. 71.02 
 3. The approval system applies to products coming from all countries. 
 4. In principle, the approval system is intended to perform the functions of the Kimberley Process 
Certification Scheme and the United Nati ons Security Council Resolution 1343 (2001). 
 5. The approval system is a statutory requirement of the IMPORT TRADE CONTROL ORDER, 
ARTICLE 4.1(2).  Legislation leaves the design ation of products subject to licensing up to 
administrative discretion.  It is  possible for the government to abo lish the system without legislative 
approval. 
 G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 28  
 
 Procedures
 
 6. Not applicable.  7. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 
8. No application shall be refused if standard crit eria (e.g. the period of application, the eligibility 
of application, the documentation for appl ication) comply with the procedures.  
 Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. There is no restriction. 
 Documentational and ot her requirements for application for licence
 
 
10. A person wishing to obtain the import approval  and does not submit the Kimberly Process 
Certificate shall submit to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, an application document and an application reason pa per for import licences. 
 11. A current certificate of import approval by th e Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry and 
the Kimberly Process Certificate is required upon actual importation. 
 
12-13. See reply of import quota items in marine products section.  
Conditions of licensing
 
 14-15. See reply of medicine and chemical products section. 
 
16. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 17. In principle, there are no other conditions  attached to the issue of an approval. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 18-19. See reply of import approval items in marine products section. 
  XI. WOOD AND ARTICLES OF WOOD 
Outline of systems
 
 1. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. Approvals are required fo r wood and articles of wood. 
HS Nos.    44.01, 44.02, 44.03, 44.04, 44.05, 44.06, 44.07, 44.08, 44.09, 44.10, 44.11, 44.12, 
44.13, 44.14, 44.15, 44.16, 44.17, 44.18, 44.19, 44.20, 44.21 
3. The approval system applies to produc ts coming from the Republic of Liberia. 
 
4. In principle, the approval system shall be in tended to perform the duty of the United Nations 
Security Council Resolutions 1478 (2003).  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
 Page 29 
 
 
  
5. The approval system is a statutory require ment of the IMPORT TRADE CONTROL ORDER, 
ARTICLE 4.1(2).  Legislation leaves the design ation of products subject to licensing up to 
administrative discretion.  It is  possible for the government to abo lish the system without legislative 
approval. 
 
Procedures  
 6. Not applicable. 
7. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 
8. In principle, approval shall not be given.  Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. Not applicable. 
 Documentational and ot her requirements for application for licence
 
 10-13. Not applicable.  
Conditions of licensing
 
 14-17. Not applicable. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 18-19.   Not applicable.  
 
XII. CULTURAL PROPERTY ILLEGALLY REMOVED FROM IRAQ  
Outline of systems
 
 1. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 2. Approval is required for cultural property ille gally moved from Iraq after 6 February 1990. 
 HS Nos. 97.01, 97.02, 97.03, 97.04, 97.05, 97.06  
3. The approval system applies to products  coming from the Republic of Liberia. 
 4. In principle, the approval system is intended to perform the functions of the United Nations 
Security Council Resolutions 1483 (2003).  
5. The approval system is a statutory requireme nt of the IMPORT TRADE CONTROL ORDER, 
ARTICLE 4.1.(2).  Legislation le aves the designation of produc ts subject to licensing up to 
administrative discretion.  It is  possible for the government to abo lish the system without legislative 
approval.  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/3 
Page 30  
 
 Procedures
 
 6. Not applicable. 
7. See reply of import approval  items in marine products. 
 
8. In principle, approval shall not be given. 
 Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 9. Not applicable. 
 
Documentational and ot her requirements for application for licence
 
 10-13. Not applicable.  
Conditions of licensing
 
 14-17. Not applicable. 
 
Other procedural requirements
 
 18-19. Not applicable.  
__________ 
 