Security Export Control

Major industrialized countries, such as Japan, are seeking to prevent goods and technologies that could be converted to weapons or used for military purposes from being diverted to dictators or terrorists who pose a threat to the international community. For this reason, industrialized nations have established a framework (an international export-control regime) to regulate such exports in cooperation with the wider international community. In Japan, efforts to regulate trade from the standpoint of security assurance are being implemented based on the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (the foreign exchange law). The export of goods and the provision of technologies subject to this regulation require the approval of the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. The export or provision of such goods or technologies without approval could be subject to criminal penalties or administrative sanctions.

For universities, activities regulated by the foreign exchange law with respect to safety assurance include the export of research equipment, chemical substances, and microbes (taken out of the country during overseas trips), contract research and joint research involving foreign governments or companies, technology instructions for overseas companies, the acceptance of researchers or students from overseas, and exchanges of data or materials with overseas researchers during research. Such activities may require approval from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. For this reason, Toho University has required all visitors to identify themselves and explain the purpose of their visit since April 2018. Please be mindful of the above and send us the following form four weeks prior to your visit after your visiting schedule is confirmed.