WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
25 March 2008 
 (08-1275) 
Committee on Import Licensing Original:   English 
  
 
REPLIES TO QUESTIONNAIRE ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES
1 
 
Notification under Article 7.3 of the Ag reement on Import Licensing Procedures for 2007  
 
JAPAN 
 
  The following communication, dated 29 February 2008, 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 ..................................................................................................10  
IV. NUCLEAR GOODS ...............................................................................................................11  
V. WEAPONS ........................................................................................................................ ......12  
VI. WILD ANIMALS AND PLANTS .........................................................................................13  
VII. SUBSTANCES WHICH DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER, SPECIFIED 
HAZARDOUS WASTES, WASTE CHEMICAL WEAPONS GOODS ...........................14  
A. IMPORT QUOTA ITEMS ...............................................................................................................14  
B. IMPORT APPROVAL ITEMS .........................................................................................................16  
VIII.  ALCOHOL ........................................................................................................................ ......18  
IX. ROUGH DIAMONDS ............................................................................................................20  
X. CULTURAL PROPERTY ILLEGALLY REMOVED FROM IRAQ..............................21  
XI. ALL OF THE GOODS FROM NORTH KOREA ..............................................................22  
XII. WEAPONS AND OTHER ITEMS RELATED TO NUCLEAR PROGRAMMES 
OR BALLISTIC MISSILE PR OGRAMMES FROM IRAN .............................................22  
 
                                                      
1 See G/LIC/3, Annex, for the Questionnaire. G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
Page 2  
 
  I. MARINE PRODUCTS 
A. I
MPORT QUOTA ITEMS  
Outline of systems  
 
1. The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) shall designate and publish a list of items 
of goods in accordance with IMPORT TRADE CONT ROL ORDER, Article 3 for which allocations of 
import quota are required.  Importers of the items set out in the list sha ll be approved to import them by 
the METI according to Article 4 of the Order.  The approval of import shall not be granted until 
importers apply for and obtain allocations of import quota in accordance with Article 9 of the order. 
 
 The list of import quota items shall be made publ ic by the METI in the Official Gazette, the 
METI Official Bulletin and th e 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, Sardine, Horsemackerel,  
 ex 03.02     Saury, 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.  The list of contro lled items shall be published as an IMPORT NOTICE 
in the Official Gazette.  It is  possible for the government to abo lish the system without legislative 
approval;  however, consent shall be required from th e Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries 
(MAFF) who has jurisdic tion for these products. 
 
Procedures
 
 
6. In principle, the approval system applies to the products originating or shipped in all countries. 
 
I. The information about the application for im port quota allocation shall be published in the 
Official Gazette, the METI Official Bulletin a nd the International Trade Bulletin.  The total 
amount of import quota shall be published in th e METI Official Bulleti n and others.  Import 
quota items are classi fied as follows: 
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
 Page 3 
 
 
     
Items Originating country 
- Herring, Cod, Yellow tail, Mackerel, Sardines, 
Horse-mackerel, Sauries, roes of Cod and Niboshi (small boiled and dried fish for seas oning), live, fresh, chilled, 
frozen, dried, salted or in brine All countries (country of 
demand to export) 
- Scallops, adductors of shell-fish, cuttle-fish and squid 
(excluding "Mongo ika") All countries (country of 
demand to export) 
- Edible seaweeds and its food prepar ations  All count ries (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 sh ould 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 size of quota shall be determined, taki ng into account the balance of domestic supply and 
demand.  When the METI designates, he sha ll first obtain consent from the MAFF, 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 import 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 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  to a certificate of import appr oval by the METI based on the 
certificate of import quota.  Then importers can  import the goods concerned 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 importe rs submit to the METI.  Importers are requested to submit the report 
of imports according to  the application procedure of import quota. 
  Unused allocations, in principle, are not added to quotas 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 
METI Official Bulletin and the International Trade Bulletin. 
 
IV. Publication in order to announce the informati on concerning procedures sh all take place at least 
21 days prior to the first day of accepting applications. 
 V. After receipt of an application of import quota, the METI shall proc ess it as quickly as possible.  
It would take about 3 weeks to carry out the process required by the METI.  
 G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
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 METI, with the certific ate of import approval issued by 
the METI, 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 applicat ion shall be carried out only by the METI.  
 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 smalle r than the total quantity 
applied for by importers, the capability of an impor ter 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 porti on of import quota is avai lable to allocate 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 obtai ning the certificate of import quota and of 
importing goods using the certificate of import quota; 
  2. An importer who is ordered to get mate rials 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 importi ng foods listed in Sections 1 to 4 of the 
Customs Tariff Schedule and intends to im port items subject to import quota with a 
definite plan. 
 
There is no system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation.      
Documentational and other requiremen ts for application for a licence
 
 
10. An application for import quota allocation should be submitted to the METI.  Another 
requirement is a certificate showing that an applicant meets the application criteria. 
 11. A current certificate of import approval by th e METI, which shall be based on the certificate for 
an import quota issued by the METI , is required upon ac tual importation. 
 
12. There is no licensing fee or administrative charge for a permit. 
 13. No deposit or advance payment is required in  connection with the issuance of permits. 
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
 Page 5 
 
 
  Conditions of licensing  
 
14. The validity term of a certificate of import quot a, issued by the METI, is four months, and that 
of a certificate on import approval, issued by the M ETI 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 extensi on for certificates of im port quota, the METI 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 applicati on for the extension, and in the case of more than 
two months, the METI 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 issue of a licence. 
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 METI shall designate and publish a list of  items of goods for whic h import approval must 
be obtained, to comply with th e IMPORT TRADE CONTROL ORDER, Article 3.  A person wishing to 
import an item published in the above-mentioned list  must be subject to im port approval for imports 
provided for in Article 4.   The publication by the METI shall be made by  insertion in the Official Gazette, the METI 
Official Bulletin and International Trade Bulletin. 
 G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
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⋅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) Bluefin tuna (only fresh and chilled Bluefin tuna farmed in Atlantic Ocean and the 
Mediterranean) 
 HS Nos . 03⋅02, 03⋅04 
 
(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) Southern bluefin tuna  
 HS Nos. 0302, 0304 
 3. (1) The approval system applies from paragraphs 2(1) to 2(4) to those products coming 
from waters outside those of Japan (in case of  shipment only) (in the case of shipment 
from harbours of foreign countries and the ca se of import by fishing boats which have 
left Japanese territory, excluding a case that the goods have not been trans-shipped 
from fishing boats which have left places other than Japanese territory). 
 (2) The approval system applies to paragr aph 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 Chinese Taipei. 
(4) The approval system applies to paragraph 2(7) for those coming from the 
non-member countries of the ICCAT (if places of origin are these countries).  
 (5) The approval system applies to paragra ph 2(8) for those coming from Bolivia and 
Georgia (if places of origin are these countries). 
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
 Page 7 
 
 
  (6) The approval system applies to paragraph 2(9) for those coming from the 
non-member countries of the CCSBT.  
 
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 anadromous stocks with reference to the state of its origin. The objective of restriction of 2(7) - (8) above is to observe the resolution of the ICCAT. 
 
 The objective of restriction of above 2(9) is to  comply with the resolution of the CCSBT, which 
restricts the import of southern  bluefin tuna from  non-CCSBT  members to CCSBT members. 
 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 sy stem without legislative approval; however, consent 
shall be required from the MAFF who ha s jurisdiction for these products. 
 
Procedures
 
 6. Not applicable. 
 7. No quantitative limit on the 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 appr oval, taking into consideration the processing 
time for application, wh ich 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 the period of the year during which an application for import 
approval may be made.  
(d) Consideration of an application for import a pproval shall be carried out only by the METI. 
 8. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
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 other requiremen ts for application for a licence
 
 
10. A person wishing to obtain import approval sh all submit to the METI, an application document 
and an application reason pa per for import licences. G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
Page 8  
 
   
 In case of paragraph 2(5)-(8), an importer shall submit the confirmation issued by the Fisheries 
Agency.  11. A current certificate of import approval by the METI is required upon actual importation. 
 
12-13. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 14. The validity term for certification shall be six months as from the date when the 
above-mentioned approval was gran ted.  The METI, when he deems it necessary to do so in 
consideration of special circumstances, may designat e a validity term different from that mentioned 
above or may extend the validity te rm 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 METI may receive it. 
 15. There is no penalty for the non-utiliza tion of a licence or a portion of a licence. 
 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. 
 
 
II. MEDICINES AND CHEMICAL PRODUCTS 
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 the follo wing medicines and chemical products:  
  HS No.
  Description of Goods  
 ex 1211  Narcotic, chemical products, category   
 ex 1301, 1302, ex 2906, 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 
  Preparations, etc., which contain more than 0.1% by weight of the substances listed in 
Article 16.1 (4)
2 of the Enforcement Order of Industrial  Safety and Health Law (Cabinet Order 
No. 318. 1972). 
 3. The approval system applies to  products coming from all countries. 
 
4. The licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. The approval system 
exists to protect the life and health of humans, anim als, and plants. A certific ate for an import approval 
                                                     
 
2 Asbestos  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
 Page 9 
 
 
  shall be issued to a person obtaining permissi on from the Ministry (M AFF or MHLW) which has 
jurisdiction for the particular goods.    5. The approval system is a statutory requirement of the IMPORT TRADE CONTROL ORDER, Article 4.1(2).  Legislation leaves the designation of products subject to licen sing up to administrative 
discretion.  It is possible for the government to  abolish the system without legislative approval. 
 
Procedures
 
 
6. Not applicable 
 
7. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 8. See reply of import quota items in marine products section. 
 Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. The eligibility for an import approval application is different for each item.  
 - Narcotic:  a person who has obt ained permission from the MHLW; 
 - Chemical products:  a person wishing to im port for the purpose of testing and research, 
or a person who has been given an order from them; 
 - Vaccine:  a person who has obtained pe rmission from the MHLW, or a person who has 
been given an unofficial notice from the Director-General, Medicine Bureau, MHLW. 
 
 The eligibility for an import approval comes under any one of the above, and there is no other 
registration system.   
Documentational and other requiremen ts for application for a licence
 
 10. A person wishing to obtain import approval sh all submit to the METI, an application document 
and an application reason pa per for import licences. 
 11. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 
12-13. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14-15. See reply of import approval items in marine 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. 
 
 G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
Page 10  
 
  III. PROPELLANT POWDERS 
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 the following propellant powders:   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. The licensing is not intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports. The approval system 
is for security purposes. A certificate for an impor t approval shall be issued to a person and obtained 
by manufacturing or selling permission. 
5. See reply of medicines and chemical products.  
 Procedures
 
 
6. Not applicable   7. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 
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 approval.  
  The eligibility for an import approval comes under any one of the above.  There is no other 
registration system.   Documentational and other requiremen ts for application for a licence
 
 
10. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 11. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 
12-13. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14-15. See reply of import approval items in marine products section. 
 
16-17. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
 Page 11 
 
 
  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 approval it ems in marine products section. 
 Purposes and coverage of licensing
 
 
2. Approvals are required for the following nuclear goods:   HS No.
  Description of Goods  
 2612  Nuclear materials, nucl ear fuel, nuclear reactors, 
 ex 2844  instruments and ap paratus containing nuclear   
 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. The licensing is not intended to restrict the qua ntity or value of imports. The approval system is 
for security purposes. A certificate for an import approval shall be is sued to a person who deals with 
refinement, processing, establis hing nuclear reactors, or reproc essing, after having obtained the 
above-mentioned permission. 
 5. See reply of medicine s and chemical products.  
 
Procedures
 
 6. Not applicable. 
 7. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 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 permission is e ligible to apply for an import approval. 
 
 The eligibility for an import approval comes under any one of the above.  There is no other 
registration system.   
Documentational and other requiremen ts for application for a licence
 
 10. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 11. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
Page 12  
 
  12-13. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14-15. See reply of import approval items in marine 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 approval it ems in marine products section. 
 
Purposes and coverage of licensing  
 
2. Approvals are required for the following weapons: 
 
 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. The licensing is not intended to restrict the qua ntity or value of imports. The approval system is 
for security purposes. A certificate for an import appr oval shall be issued to a person who is entrusted 
imports by public bodies in the state or at local level, or who obtains ma nufacturing permission. 
 
5. See reply of medicines and chemical products.  
 
Procedures
 
 
6. Not applicable. 
 
7. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 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 eligib le to apply for an import approval. 
  The eligibility for an import approval comes under any one of the above.  There is no other 
registration system.   
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
 Page 13 
 
 
  Documentational and other requiremen ts for application for a licence  
 
10. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 11. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 
12-13. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 14-15. See reply of import approval items in marine 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. WILD ANIMALS AND PLANTS 
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 (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 Convention"), plus  their parts and derivatives. 
  (2) Animals and plants belonging to specie s listed in Annex II of the Washington 
Convention (except for whales and their prepar ations, and also except for whale shark, 
basking shark, white shark and sea horse), pl us their parts and derivatives (for plants, 
only those parts and derivatives specified in Annex II). 
 
 (3) Animals and plants belonging to specie s listed in Annex III of the Washington 
Convention, plus their parts and derivatives. 
 3. (1) The approval system appl ies to paragraph 2.(1) with regard to that coming from all  
  countries. 
  (2) The approval system applies to paragr aphs 2.(2) and 2.(3) 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 
shall function to perform the duty of the Washington Convention. 
 5. See reply of medicines and chemical products.   G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
Page 14  
 
   
Procedures
 
 
6. Not applicable.  
7. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 8. No application shall be refused if the standard  criteria (e.g. the period of application, the 
eligibility of application, the doc umentation for application) comply with the procedures; however, in 
principle, approval shall not be given to  the items listed in 2.(2) and 2.(3). 
 
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 eligib le to apply for import approval. 
  The eligibility for an import approval comes under any one of the above.  There is no other 
registration system.     
Documentational and other requiremen ts for application for a licence
 
 
10. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 11. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 
12-13. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 
14-15. See reply of import approval items in marine 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, submission to the customs authoriti es of the original of the export permit or the 
certificate of re-export is required. 
Other procedural requirements
 
 
18-19. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
  
VII. 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. 
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
 Page 15 
 
 
  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 fo r laboratory and 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 (exc luding Import approval item s 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, Gro up I (excluding  those used as raw materials for 
producing other substances);  Annex C, Group II (e xcluding 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 Import approval items in Subs tances which Deplete the Ozone Layer, and those 
used as raw materials for producing other substances  );  Annex E (excluding Import approval items in 
Substances which Deplete the Ozone Layer, those used as raw materi als for producing other substances 
and those used for the quarantine of the export or  import of cargo) of the Montreal Protocol on 
Substances that Depl ete the Ozone Layer. 
 
3. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 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. 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 would be possible for the government to abolish the system without 
legislative approval. See reply of propellant powders section. 
 
Procedures
 
 
6. The permit system applies to products coming from all countries.  
 
I. The information about an im port quota's application shall be published in the METI Official 
Bulletin and the International Trade Bulletin. 
  The total amount is not published. 
 
 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 a nd 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 size of quota shall be determined 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 applicati on shall be made once only, and the certificate 
for an import quota is issued based on this app lication.  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 accord ing to the objectives of the treaty. 
 G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
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   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. 
  In principle, unused allocations are not  added to quotas 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 c ondition that an importer has no responsibility for 
the cause of extending licences, or that prohibiti on 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. When the scale of an impor t quota application is within the limit of the size of a quota 
calculated by every application factor, the demand for licences can be fully 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. 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 other requiremen ts 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 import approval items in marine 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. 
  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:    G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
 Page 17 
 
 
   (1) Controlled substances listed  in Annex A, B, C, Group I, 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 Subs tances 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 and Public Cleansing Law 
(except for wastes produced from ship or ai rcraft navigation in Article 4.2 and for a 
person who ente rs Japan carry ing wastes). 
 
 (4) Specified products in item 3 of Section 2 of the Law on the Prohibition of Chemical 
Weapons and Regulation. 
  (5) The chemical substances specified in item 5 of Section 2 of the Law on the Prohibition 
of Chemical Weapons  and Regulation. 
 3.  (1) The approval system applies to paragraph 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 applies to paragraphs 2.(2) to 2.(4) with regard to that coming 
from all countries. 
  (3) The approval system applies to paragraph 2.(5) with regard to that coming from all 
countries excluding members of the Chemical Weapons Convention.  
 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.  
5. See reply of medicine s and chemical products. 
 
Procedures
 
 6. Not applicable. 
 7. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 8. No application shall be refused if the standard  criteria (e.g. the period of application, the 
eligibility of application, the doc umentation for application) comply with the procedures; however, in 
principle, approval shall not be given to  the items listed in 2.(1) and 2.(5). 
  
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 9. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
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  Documentational and other requiremen ts for application for a licence
 
 
10. See reply of medicines an d chemical products section. 
 11. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 
12-13. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Conditions of licensing
 
 14-15. See reply of import approval items in marine 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. 
  
VIII.  ALCOHOL 
Outline of systems
 
 
1. 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 METI 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 METI 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.  Th e 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.)  5. The METI gives approval in accordance with Ar ticle 17 of the Alcohol Business Law.  The 
system does not leave any administrative discreti on 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 the Official Gazette dated 5 October 2000. 
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
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  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 METI. 
 
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 METI.  8. No application shall be refused if an app lication complies with the ordinary criteria of 
application procedures.  In case that an applicatio n for a licence is refused, reasons for the refusal 
should be explained to the applicant.  The applican t can also request for examination to the METI in 
accordance with the Admini strative Appeal Law. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. There is no restriction. 
 
Documentational and other require ments for application for licence  
 
10. Application for the import approval shall be submitted to the METI 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 METI 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 METI for each shipment and such 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 licence or a part of a licence. G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
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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. 
 
 
IX. 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. See reply of medicines and chemical products. 
 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. See reply of medicine s and chemical products. 
 
Procedures
 
 
6. Not applicable.  
7. See reply of import approval it ems in marine products section. 
 8. See reply of import quota item s in marine products section. 
 
Eligibility of importers to apply for licence
 
 
9. There is no restriction. 
 
Documentational and other requirem ents for application for licence  
 
10. A person wishing to obtain the import approval shall submit to the METI, an application 
document, an application reason paper for import licences and the Kimberly Process Certificate. 
 11. A current certificate of import approval by the METI and the Kimberly Process Certificate are required upon actual importation. 
 
12-13. See reply of import quota items in marine products section. 
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
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  Conditions of licensing  
 
14-15. See reply of import approval items in marine 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. 
 
 
X. 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 August 1990. 
  - HS Nos. 97.01, 97.02, 97.03, 97.04, 97.05, 97.06 
 
3. The approval system applies to products coming from Iraq. 
 4. In principle, the approval system is intended to perform the functions of the United Nations 
Security Council Resolutions 1483 (2003). 
 
5. See reply of medicine s and chemical products. 
 
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 other requirem ents for application for licence  
 
10-13. Not applicable. 
 
Conditions of licensing  
 
14-17. Not applicable. 
 
Other procedural requirements  
 
18-19.  Not applicable. 
 G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
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  XI. ALL OF THE GOODS FROM NORTH KOREA 
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 all of the goods.  3. The approval system applies to  products coming from North Korea. 
 
4. In principle, the approval system shall be intended to take the m easures decided by the 
government.  5. See reply of medicine s and chemical products. 
 
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 other requirem ents for application for licence  
 
10-13. Not applicable. 
 
Conditions of licensing  
 
14-17. Not applicable. 
 
Other procedural requirements  
 
18-19.  Not applicable. 
 
 
XII. WEAPONS AND OTHER ITEMS RELATED TO NUCLEAR PROGRAMMES OR 
BALLISTIC MISSILE PROGRAMMES FROM IRAN 
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 weapons and other it ems related to nuclear programmes or ballistic 
missile programmes. 
  G/LIC/N/3/JPN/6 
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  3. The approval system applies to products coming from Iran. 
 4. In principle, the approval system shall be intended to perform the duty of the United Nations 
Security Council Resolutions 1737(2006) and 1747(2 007). 
 
5. See reply of medicine s and chemical products. 
 
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 other requirem ents for application for licence  
 
10-13. Not applicable. 
 
Conditions of licensing  
 
14-17. Not applicable. 
 
Other procedural requirements  
 
18-19.  Not applicable. 
 
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