From: Ernest Hua <hua@chromatic.com>
Date: Wed, 16 Oct 1996 10:15:48 -0700 (PDT)
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: Re: Japan imposing crypto export restrictions!
In-Reply-To: <199610160435.GAA00926@basement.replay.com>
Message-ID: <199610161715.KAA20655@server1.chromatic.com>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain



Can anyone confirm this?  This is really scary stuff if the Clinton
administration really succeeded in pulling this off.

Ern

> Another Cypherpunks exclusive!
> 
> Bowing to US pressure, the Japanese Ministry of International Trade
> and Industry (MITI) has quietly made changes to Japanese crypto export
> regulations.
> 
> In the past, export of crypto products from Japan was unregulated. The
> exporter had to file a pro-forma export declaration with MITI. The new
> regulations, imposed in recent weeks without public announcement,
> require the exporter to state the ultimate recipient of the crypto
> product. MITI then conducts a lengthy approval process that can take
> many weeks.
> 
> It is widely assumed that the US used the thread of trade sanctions to
> bring about this 180 degree turn in the attitude of the Japanese
> government.
> 
> The new regulations apply to exports from Japan to all countries,
> including the US.