The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on the 23rd that it has initiated the procedure to reinstate Japan to the strategic materials export preferential region (white list).
On the same day, the ministry issued an administrative notice for the revision of the strategic materials export-import notification, which includes moving Japan from the current 'Category 2 region' to the white-listed 'Category 1 region.' The administrative notice period is from today until July 12.
If Japan returns to the Category 1 region, the review period will be shortened from the original 15 days to 5 days, and the required application documents will be simplified from 3-5 types to 1-3 types.
The ministry plans to integrate the current distinctions of 'Category 1' and 'Category 2' into a single 'Category' once Japan's return to Category 1 is completed.
Additionally, the government withdrew its World Trade Organization (WTO) complaint regarding Japan's export restrictions on three items (hydrofluoric acid, fluorinated polyimide, and photoresist) on the same day.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy stated, "We will closely discuss through Korea-Japan export control policy dialogues to ensure that Japan's national classification, that is, the revision of the white list, and Korea's return to the white-listed country (Group A) can be achieved promptly."
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