Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
The 30th Asian Export Control Seminar

The 30th Asian Export Control Seminar was held from February 20 to 22, 2024. The Seminar was organized by the Center for Information on Security Trade Control (CISTEC) and co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. It brought together approximately 180 participants that include officials in charge of export control from 34 countries and regions as well as 9 international and other organizations including the heads of International Export Control Regimes.
1. Background
Asian countries and regions face a growing risk of illegal procurement activities by countries and regions of concern. With their economic growth, they have become global manufacturing and trade hubs for items and technologies that can be diverted to develop weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This Seminar has been held since 1993 to secure non-proliferation systems in Asia, that are directly linking to security in Japan, by raising awareness and building capacity of officials in charge of export control in Asian countries and regions.
2. Outline
(1) Opening Remarks
At the outset of the Seminar, the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan FUKAZAWA Yoichi emphasized the significance of the Seminar that marked the 30th anniversary, as the implementation of export controls by each country becomes even more important in light of increasing trades, complexed supply chains, challenging regional and international conditions and the increased risk of proliferation of dual-use goods due to the rapid development of science and technology, and underscored export controls as a means not only to prevent proliferation but to foster mutual trust with trading and investment partners and contribute to creating a favorable environment for further economic growth rather than discouraging trade and investment. The Vice-Minister also called on the non-proliferation community to share awareness and to deepen its knowledge on export control issues toward realizing a peaceful and stable world.
(2) Current Security Risks
The discussion affirmed the increasing importance of coordination among national export control authorities, affiliation among relevant domestic ministries and agencies, and dialogue between regulators and exporters to counter security threats such as illicit procurement, proliferation finance and intangible technology transfer (ITT) that could facilitate the proliferation of WMD and terrorist activities.
(3) Export Control Measures of Each Country/Region in Asia
Government officials from the Philippines, Cambodia, China, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, Thailand, Pakistan, Hong Kong and Indonesia reported updates on their export control systems.
(4) Outreach to Academia
Government officials from Australia Germany, and Japan introduced cases on specific violation of ITT from universities and research institutions and described their outreach activities to academia. In addition, they discussed increasing importance of deepening understanding of researchers on export control and the need to address practical issues when accepting short-term visiting researchers and students from abroad.
(5) Activities under International Frameworks
Experts from the United Nations Security Council Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1718, the 1540 Committee Group of Experts, the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC), the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Wassenaar Arrangement reported their recent activities.
(6) Best Practices in Implementation
Canada, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, Japan and the United States introduced their best practices related to catch-all controls and regulation on transshipment and intermediacy as well as their efforts that include those to promote development of internal compliance programs by exporters and to counter proliferation.
3. Participating Countries, Regions, and International and Other Organizations
(1) Asia (19 countries/regions)

Japan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Taiwan
(2) Outside Asia (15 countries/regions)
Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Ecuador, the European Union, Finland, Germany, Greece, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States
(3) International and Other Organizations (9 Organizations)
The United Nations Security Council Committee established pursuant to Resolution 1718, the 1540 Committee Group of Experts, the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the OPCW, the HCOC and the International Export Control Regimes (the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Australia Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime and the Wassenaar Arrangement)