Export from Japan

Export Procedure Based on the Japanese Basel Law

In Japan, Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) have the joint jurisdiction over the export procedure for hazardous wastes and other wastes. For the export of those wastes, the following approval procedure should be followed.

  1. Any person who exports the hazardous wastes shall obtain the approval of export under the Foreign Exchange Act by Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
  2. MOEJ notify the competent authority of the States of import and transit of any proposed transboundary movement of the hazardous wastes.
  3. If this is especially necessary to prevent any environmental pollution, Minister of the Environment shall confirm that the export will not prevent the protection of the environment, and give notice to the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.
  4. Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry shall give the approval of export as mentioned in the item 1 above only after he or she has received the said notice from Minister of the Environment.

The flow chart for the export of hazardous wastes is shown below.  Any person who exports those wastes shall be required to transport the wastes accompanied with the related movement documents

Flow Chart of Export Procedure

Tightening of Export Control

In response to the increasing number of takeback (ship-back or repatriation) from Asian countries in recent years and also to aim at preventing environmental pollution and adverse impacts on human health attributed to the environmentally unsound disposal of hazardous wastes in countries of import, Japanese Government amended the Japanese Basel Law to identify the items to be confirmed prior to the export of hazardous wastes as follows:

１．Control on Export of Mixed Metal Scrap

So-called “mixed metal scrap” (metal scrap mixed with electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) containing hazardous materials is now clearly defined as hazardous waste and cannot be exported unless the hazardous EEE is removed from other scraps. 35 items listed below are defined as hazardous wastes and regulated under the Japanese Basel Law.

1. Air Conditioner 19. Electronic Medical Equipment (e.g., inhaler)
2. CRT and LCD Television 20. Film Camera
3. Refrigerator and Freezer 21. Rice Cooker and Microwave Oven
4. Washing machine and Dryer 22. Fan and Dehumidifier
5. Telephone and Facsimile Machine 23. Electronic Iron and Cleaner
6. Mobile Phone 24. Electronic Stove
7. Radio Receiver 25. Dryer and Electronic Shaver
8. Digital Camera and DVD Recorder 26. Electronic Massager
9. Digital Audio Player and Stereo Set 27. Treadmill
10. PC 28. Electronic Lawn Mower
11. Magnetic and Optical Disk 29. Fluorescent Lamp
12. Printer 30. Electronic Clock
13. Display 31. Electronic Music Instrument
14. Electronic Book Reader 32. Game Machine
15. Sewing Machine 33. Water Heater
16. Electronic Tool (e.g., power drill) 34. Switch Board
17. Calculator 35. Uninterruptible Power Supply
18. Measuring Instrument  

２．Approval by the Minister of the Environment

For the purpose of prevention of environmental pollution in the country of import, the items to be confirmed by the Minster of the Environment are legally clarified. The Minister approves the export of hazardous wastes only if it is confirmed that the wastes are to be managed in an environmentally sound manner at the State of destination to the extent technically comparable with the requirement of the Japanese regulation.

The followings are example of items to be confirmed by the Minister (but not limited to):

  • Structure of the treating facility
  • Status of compliance with relevant environmental regulations
  • Adopted pollution control measures (e.g., emission and effluent control measures).
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