News
Japan's Ministry of Finance （MOF） recently has suggested that Japan's customs system be upgraded to facilitate trade and enhance crime control.
The suggestion was made on Oct. 3, 2011 when the ministry's Council on Customs, Tariff, Foreign Exchange and Other Transaction held a meeting of its customs sub-council to discuss tariff reforms for fiscal 2012 （April 2012-March 2013）.
During the meeting, views were exchanged on how detailed information on cargoes in containers can be obtained at early times in computerized formats, which is a challenge to overcome before the so-called 24-hour rule is applied in Japan （for incoming vessels to Japan）.
It was agreed to unveil specifics of a new rule in consideration of discussions to be held during October 25 and November meetings of the sub-council, both of which will be convened to follow up a direction to be defined later this month by the working group （WG） on trade facilitation, another organization under the above-mentioned council.
As for the submission of information on containerized shipments in advance （24 hours in advance to cargo loading at an origin port）, discussions are held in accordance with the World Customs Organization （WCO） 's guidelines for the 24-hour rule.
When the WG met in September, the Japanese Shipowners' Association （JSA） offered an opinion, demanding the new rule not hinder its members' business activities.
On behalf of the non-vessel-operating common carrier （NVOCC） industry, Japan International Freight Forwarders Association Inc. （JIFFA） proposed that it not be a unique rule in Japan but a universal rule. It added that, as seen in the United States and some European nations, the system should allow local business operators at places of origin to conclude contracts with service providers, through which the business operators can submit cargo information in advance for their clients.
