Japan bans old electronics as of April 1

No, this isn't an April Fool's Day joke: If you're in Japan and looking for a deal on used gear, your days are numbered, at least if that gear is more than five years old. It seems that Japan's government revised its "Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law" back in April 2001, and added a stipulation that items authorized under the country's old law (the "Electrical Appliance and Material Control Law") couldn't be sold anymore, but granted those products a five-year grace period. Well, if you check your convenient wall calendar, you'll see that the five-year period is about to end, which means that as of April 1, pretty much any electronic gear sold before April 1, 2001 can't be legally resold in Japan. Note that we said legally. We assume that if you're really jonesing for an original Famicom or parts for your aging Zaurus, you'll find a way to do it. Such as meeting outside the Zoo in Ueno Koen at midnight on Tuesday and asking for Yuki. Just don't mention our name.

Update: Well, it looks like you can relax a little. Thanks to Roy at Mutant Frog, we've learned a little more about the intricacies of Japanese law. Turns out that sellers of certain kinds of old gear will have to get a government seal certifying that the items adhere to modern saftey standards if they want to sell the stuff after April 1. Sellers are crying foul, saying that in certain cases, it'll be too hard to get certification, and they may end up dumping their gear -- or exporting it, since it turns out exports are exempt from the new law. So, for the best deals on unsafe old Japanese electrical products, start checking the second-hand markets of Shanghai and Hanoi. Just don't mention our name.

[Via Akihabara News]

[Jim Aglah @ Mar 5th 2008 6:21AM]

Sir,
I'd be interested in doing business with your firm as a distributor. Kinldy send your trade terms and all relevant details. I live in Ghana in West Africa which is making some good ecenomic strides.

[Dan @ Feb 22nd 2006 9:12AM]

Uh, mad props for the Zaurus reference.

[dreampc @ Feb 22nd 2006 9:20AM]

I hope they have provisions to grandfather ham radio gear...

[Jon Acheson @ Feb 22nd 2006 9:52AM]

But think of the benefits to all the small shops in China and Taiwan, which will soon be selling used Japanese electronics at a reasonable profit. Where do you think the used Japanese cars go?

This is dumb, but no dumber than any number of similar protection schemes already in place in Japan. For instance, it used to be cheaper to import Midori back from the US than to just buy it in Japan, because of the wierd taxes they had.

[Jacob @ Feb 22nd 2006 10:40AM]

It would have been nice to know about this five years ago, rather than on the eve of its implementation.

I remember seing a bin full of PC Engines for 1000 yen each when I was in Akihabara back in the '90s... and was flat broke.

[shrinkydinx @ Feb 22nd 2006 10:42AM]

so no more selling of the original ps2...or anything prior...

the japanese are infinitely smart.

[Khaytsus @ Feb 22nd 2006 11:32AM]

Sorry that you missed the news, we are outsourcing to people we're at war with. Hopefully Engadget won't butcher the url: http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/21/port.security/

[Justin @ Feb 22nd 2006 11:41AM]

Just think of the clearance sales/prices on March 31st when used electronics shops and the like know that its their last chance to sell these used goods.

[justine @ Jun 27th 2007 7:00AM]

hello there,am in south africa,i just want to ask you if i can find used laptops in japan and at how much if i buy in bulck..thanks

[Bill @ Feb 22nd 2006 11:50AM]

"Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law"?

Is it better to have this stuff in a landfill that in use?

[Mutantfrog @ Feb 22nd 2006 12:10PM]

I was rather alarmed when I first read this, but it seems that you are being overly alarmist. I've written a blog post explaining why here:http://www.mutantfrog.com/2006/02/22/2nd-hand-electronics-sales-will-not-soon-be-illegal-in-japan/

And an Asahi Daily article about this new law can be found here:
http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200602210407.html

[Richard @ Feb 22nd 2006 12:28PM]

Considering there are more ham radio operators in Japan than the rest of the world combined, and most ham radios out there are a lot older than 5 years old (hell, I have a tube-based Kenwood that still makes intercontinental contacts), I can't see them banning the sale of used old ham gear.

That's weird, wild stuff.

[Jeff @ Feb 22nd 2006 1:17PM]

"I remember seing a bin full of PC Engines for 1000 yen each when I was in Akihabara back in the '90s... and was flat broke."

Similar experiences here - last time I was there, I passed up a boxed original Famicom, a boxed Neo Geo AES, and various other consoles because I either didn't have enough money or couldn't carry them on the plane (I did have a full duffle bag worth of stuff already, in addition to my regular carry-on).

If I'd known about this I would have just fedexed them home.

I wonder if this is going to create a new industry of gaijin dumpster-divers in Japan :)

Somehow I have a feeling those used stores in Akihabara will continue selling this stuff, though, just as they continued to sell used games while that was supposedly illegal (before the Japanese supreme court overturned that law). Prices might go up, though.

[greatslack @ Feb 22nd 2006 1:27PM]

So what exactly is the point of this law? Is Japan trying to make sure that its citizens aren't technologically pass? I don't see how this law is protecting anyone or is beneficial to the greater good.

[jnasato @ Feb 22nd 2006 1:56PM]

Great, now Japan will be 15 years ahead of the US, instead of just 10...

#13, I think newer Japanese electronics made under the newer safety regulations, safeguard against faulty manufacturing processes, etc. That's my guess! Japan is really strict when it comes to safety.

[Chris @ Feb 22nd 2006 2:25PM]

Re: #14.

Japanese are NOT strict about safety. Just check out the issues with the falsified earthquake safety inspections on half a dozen highrise apartments around Japan!

I've lived in Japan for quite a while and though I love the country to pieces, they are more strict about the illusion of safety than actual safety.

But compared to the US....

[Dave @ Feb 22nd 2006 2:39PM]

Probably the big reason for this is a recent switch to lead-free solder in circuit boards. In an effort to �save our environment� over the last few years this process was slowly implemented overseas and is now becoming popular here in the United States. My bet is this is the reason, phase out all of the old lead solder circuit boards.

The problem is now there will be tons of landfills in Japan full of circuit boards with lead solder. Quinn�s first law will once again hold true, �Liberalism always generates the exact opposite of its stated intent�.

[Jacob @ Feb 22nd 2006 3:08PM]

"Liberalism always generates the exact opposite of its stated intent".

Wow... "Durr... Liberals are teh devil!" made it into THIS thread, of all things.

I'm fairly certain it's more a case of the sagging electronics industry trying to find a way to get people to buy new stuff instead of used stuff by pulling on corrupt gov't officials.

[Rodger Donaldson @ Feb 22nd 2006 3:09PM]

#13: Like their strict car re-registration laws (which see most cars de-registered after they're only 3 - 5 years old) it's mostly about ensuring a vigorous domestic demand for new stuff.

[ISSEI @ Feb 22nd 2006 3:15PM]

Only 5 years?
There goes the HAM radio fans in Japan.

Do they have any specific plan on what they are going to do with all that lead collected?
Atleast, it is good because there is an effert goin on here.

[Christos @ Feb 22nd 2006 3:23PM]

Yes, good update by Roy at MutantFrog! I've also posted some links to the law itself...

[Tamyu @ Feb 22nd 2006 4:56PM]

Actually read what is going to happen -
SALES of electronics more than 5 years old will be regulated, not eliminated. This means *RETAIL* sales. There is absolutely nothing stopping you from *USING* older things, or buying non-retail. (Think just about any online auction, free market, person to person sale, etc.)
It just means that large retail companies will have to verify things they sell are up to the standard. That`s it.

Frankly, I don`t see things changing all that much. Large retail used-goods stores are complaining about having to check things before sale, and the costs incurred, but that`s about it. There are so many loopholes in the law that it would be hard *NOT* to slip through one.

[Jeff @ Feb 22nd 2006 6:15PM]

Mutantfrog:

I just read your blog post that you linked, and you are incorrect about what equipment is covered. Game consoles, for example, specifically *are* covered. I followed the link you yourself posted to the English translation of the actual law, and under covered equipment is this (among many other things you say are not covered):

"electronic amusement equipments"

That sure sounds like it would cover game consoles to me.

Basically everything under the sun that operates on 100-300 volts is covered. That means almost everything that draws electricity, since Japan's standard electrical system runs on 100 volts. The list of covered equipment is pretty exhaustive but the translator specifically says it is not complete - it is simply representative of the *kinds* of things that are covered. For anyone else who's interested, you can read it here: http://homepage3.nifty.com/tsato/terms/denan-e.html

It *is* good that sales will just be regulated rather than banned, but the requirements for testing will probably preclude a lot of the smaller shops that sell this stuff in Akihabara from doing so. And the "export" loophole is no big deal, because very few people sell this stuff to overseas buyers, be they stores or individuals. (Just go to Yahoo auctions Japan and try to find a seller that ships internationally.)

I still think this is a pretty big deal.

[jeremy @ Feb 22nd 2006 7:56PM]

""Liberalism always generates the exact opposite of its stated intent".

Wow... "Durr... Liberals are teh devil!" made it into THIS thread, of all things."

Let's twist an articulate statement about liberals and make Republikkkans look like they are ravaging, frothing at the mouth idiots! YAY, go liberals

[Adamu @ Feb 22nd 2006 8:09PM]

Yes, it is a pretty big deal. But it's important we get the facts right.

I've taken a closer look at how this is playing out, which you can check out here.

Basically, the consoles that are affected are the Playstation, early PS2s, and anything Sega because those used direct plugs rather than the clunky AC adapters.

[Adamu @ Feb 22nd 2006 8:16PM]

Um, I mean here:

http://www.mutantfrog.com/2006/02/22/straight-from-the-horses-mouth-meti-explains-stance-on-secondhand-game-consoles/

[Yoshi @ Feb 23rd 2006 4:18AM]

I think this law doesn't apply to computers.
One site says that collectors of old computers should take note, but that's not true (I think...)

The real goal of this new law is to prevent people from buying used electronics and make them buy new electronics. This is to protect the manufacturers.... the Japanese government to so connected to large companies, and the government will do anything for them.

It's not about safety or environment.
...from the people's point of view, Japan isn't such a great country.

[Setth @ Feb 23rd 2006 6:34AM]

So, my inference would be to most deffently go dumpster diving. What are the laws on that one? I guess there is no need to go christmas shopping for the next 5 years. Just grad a plane ticket and hit the dumpsters!

[kevin @ Mar 1st 2006 7:56PM]

Sounds like a hoax to me. This is the only thing http://homepage3.nifty.com/tsato/terms/denan-e.html that supposidly you tells about this? Whatever. Until I see some real links in the news..SNOOZE

[Akachi Uwa @ Mar 4th 2006 5:21AM]

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Best regards,
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FROM; UMUEZE HOLDINGS & COMPANY
LOME-TOGO.
28 RUE DE LA EGLISE
LOME, TOGO.
Tel;00228-926-47-24

[Stig @ Mar 14th 2006 11:33AM]

Yesterday March 14, 2006 the Japanese ministry in charge of the PSE law and its interpretation announced that "Vintage Electric Equipment" including guitar amps, audio, electric musical instruments, and electric powered photographic equipment etc. will be exempted from full PSE testing requirements, and will be allowed to sell after a simplified registration procedure is followed by the merchant.

For those who can read Japanese, see news item at Yahoo Japan:
http://dailynews.yahoo.co.jp/fc/domestic/pse_law/
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20060314-00000053-mai-bus_all

Also notice that major second-hand audio retailer HiFi Do had already registered with the ministry as a re-manufacturer of used audio equipment and has set itself up to do fully compliant testing and certification, and also will equip each piece of used equipment they sell (after testing and modifying the equipment to comply with the law) with a properly registered PSE sticker.

See http://www.hifido.co.jp/merumaga/osu_sale/060310/

So this means the good Ryuichi Sakamoto (who campaigned against the law prohibiting sale of vintage synthesizers etc.) and his friends were successful.

Cheers!

[onyango nyanjo migire @ Mar 29th 2006 1:59AM]

Am looking forward to enjoying a good service from you.

[TITO GERARD @ Nov 12th 2008 5:52AM]

FLAMINGO ELECTRONICS
BP 1908
WEST CAMEROON
CENTRAL AFRICA

DERA SIR,

A REQUEST TO BUY FROM YOUR COMPANY

I WILL BE MORE THAN GRATEFUL IF WE ARE GIVEN THE UPPORTUNITY TO TREAT WITH YOUR GOODS.WE ARE LOCATED IN CAMEROON AND WE HAVE BEEN ELECTRONIC DEALERS FOR OVER 21 YEARS
WE BASED ON ASIAN PRODUCTS ESPECIALLY CHINESE ELECTRONICS BUT NOW WE WANT TO DIVERSIFY TO JAPANESE ELECTRONICE DUE TO THE INCREASIND DEMANDS AND TRUST BASED ON JAPANESE PRODUCTS
THANKS AND PLEASE GET BACK TO US

CO GERARD TITO

[jay @ Sep 9th 2006 10:14PM]

I know it might sound a lil bit out of subject-- but I was wondering how cheap are electronics in japan compared to the US.. if anybody got information or any sites to help feel free to email them to me at [e-mail]
thanks

[Ebenezer @ Dec 4th 2006 10:45AM]

THE MANAGING DIRECTOR,
DEAR SIR,
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WAITING FOR YOUR ANSWERS.
REGARDS,
Ebenezer,
DIRECTOR