Japan Raps Firm for Missile-Related Sale to Iran

Japanese authorities have banned a Tokyo-based firm from exporting any goods for the next two years as punishment for its sale to Iran of machinery that could be used to enhance Tehran’s ballistic missile capability, Agence France-Presse reported today (see GSN, Oct. 15, 2004).

The Seishin Enterprise Corp. shipped a jet-mill grinder to Iran in 1999 and another in 2000 without getting government approval. The equipment requires an export license because it can be used to produce fine powders, a process that improves solid rocket fuel, AFP reported. The penalty ban will take effect Dec. 5.

Two top company executives were convicted in 2004 for breaking Japanese export laws and received suspended sentences (Agence France-Presse/Middle East Times, Nov. 28)