The reappearance of the Wassenaar Agreement? Japan will join forces with the United States and Europe to restrict the export of technologies such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence

The Japanese government is taking the lead in setting up an international cooperation framework in conjunction with the United States and major European countries to control the export of advanced technologies such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) internationally to prevent them from being diverted to military uses.

It is reported that Japan has held consultations with the United States, and in addition to the United States, the new framework also includes Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and other major European countries. It is expected that the latest technologies in the fields of semiconductors, artificial intelligence and biotechnology will be discussed, but under the existing multilateral framework, some issues still need time to make decisions.

The report pointed out that in view of China's use of non-governmental technology to strengthen its national defense, from the perspective of economic security, the countries involved in the plan are expected to respond quickly.

In addition, technologies, products and software developed for private use may also be exported for military purposes. Therefore, if there is concern about diversion, multiple countries under the cooperation framework can implement export controls immediately after consultations. For example, if new weapons made by Japanese and US companies contain semiconductors and related components with the risk of diversion, export restrictions will only be decided by relevant countries such as Japan and the United States.

In a way, this new cooperation framework is the same as, or an extension of, the Wassenaar Agreement, which was established by the United States in 1996.

The WA Association contains two control lists: one is a list of dual-use goods and technologies, covering advanced materials, material processing, electronic devices, computers, telecommunications and information security, sensors and lasers, navigation and avionics, ships and maritime equipment, and propulsion systems; the other is a list of military products, covering 22 categories of weapons, ammunition, equipment and combat platforms. China is among the embargoed countries.

At the same time, Japan will also increase the items stipulated in the foreign exchange law as the object of export restrictions. Export requires the permission of Japan's Minister of economy, Trade and Industry, otherwise it is not allowed to export to countries with security problems. Japan is striving to achieve this plan by the end of 2021.

In order to ensure that the object of control will not be diverted, the management system will become more stringent. In addition, while the Japanese government is worried about corporate exports, it is also worried about the loss of research institutions such as universities. Therefore, international students and researchers will be strictly enrolled and screened, and whether there is a military background will be examined.