Important notice: Japan ECN english structure update in ONESOURCE Global Trade
Date of publication: May 27, 2026
ONESOURCE Global Trade will update the English display format of certain Japan Export Control Numbers (ECNs) to better reflect the underlying Japanese legal numbering structure in Shorei (省令).
This update makes the Ko (項) / paragraph level explicit in affected English ECNs by inserting "1" where that level is required by the legal structure but was not previously shown in the English format.
This is a display-structure update only. It does not change Japan's export control regulations, control criteria, licensing obligations, or item classifications.
We are providing advance notice so you can review any internal systems, reports, or processes that reference these English ECN values before go-live.
At a glance
- What is changing?Some English ECNs for Japan will display an added Ko (項) level in the Shorei portion of the code.
- Why is this changing?To align the English ECN structure more closely with the full Japanese legal numbering hierarchy.
- What is not changing?Japan's legal text, control scope, licensing requirements, and classification outcomes.
- Who may be affected?Customers who store, search, parse, match, report on, or integrate using English ECN values.
- When does this take effect?August 6, 2026
Lists affected
This update applies to ECNs in the following Japan lists in ONESOURCE Global Trade:
List Name | Estimated Number of Codes Affected |
|---|---|
Japan Export Control Order (ECO) / Appendix 1 | ~2,300–2,700 codes |
Japan Foreign Exchange Order (FEO) | ~400–500 codes |
What is changing
Where the Ko (項) level is required under Japanese law but was not shown in the source matrix used for English ECN display, ONESOURCE Global Trade will insert "1" to make that level explicit.
This affects the Shorei portion of certain ECNs. The update is intended to ensure that the English ECN reflects the full legal numbering structure more accurately and consistently.
Example
- Current English ECN: 2.41-1.51
- New English ECN: 2.41-1.1.51
In this example, "1" is inserted in the Shorei portion to represent the missing Ko level.
What is not changing
This update does not affect:
- Japan's export control laws or legal text
- the Japanese full-structure ECN numbering already available alongside English ECNs
- item classifications
- control criteria or technical scope
- licensing requirements or outcomes
- No item reclassification is required as a result of this change.
Why we are making this change
English ECNs in ONESOURCE Global Trade have been derived from the ECO/FEO matrix published by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). In some cases, that matrix does not explicitly show every level of the underlying Japanese legal numbering structure in English.
Under Japan's legal structure, however, the Ko (項) level is a required part of the hierarchy. When that level was not visible in the English source format, it was also not reflected in the English ECN display.
By inserting "1" where needed, this update improves:
- alignment with the full Japanese legal structure
- consistency across English ECNs
- traceability between the METI matrix, Japanese legal text, and English ECNs
Background: Japanese legal numbering structure
Each Japan ECN consists of two parts connected by a hyphen:
Before the hyphen: Koban (輸出令 / Export Control Order)
After the hyphen: Shorei (貨物等省令 / Ministerial Ordinance)
Within Shorei, entries follow a four-level hierarchy:
Jo (条 / Article) → Ko (項 / Paragraph) → Go (号 / Item) → Sub-items
Example of Shorei structure:
Japanese legal text:
第２条の２第２項第３号イ（三)
English structural rendering:
2(2).2.3.a.3
When combined with its Koban counterpart, a full ECN may appear as:
3(2).2.3-2(2).2.3.a.3
This illustrates how each level of the Japanese legal structure maps to a segment of the English ECN. The Ko (項) level is a required part of that structure in both Koban and Shorei entries.
Numbering reference
Level | Japanese | English |
|---|---|---|
Jo (条) — Article | 第２条の２ | 2(2) |
Ko (項) — Paragraph | ２項 | 2 |
Go (号) — Item | 第三号 | 3 |
Sub-item 1 | イ | a |
Sub-item 2 | （三） | 3 |
Examples of changes
The examples below show how affected English ECNs will change. Where the Ko level is not applicable, the ECN remains unchanged.
Current English ECN (Export Control Order) | New English ECN | Notes |
|---|---|---|
2.41-1.51 | 2.41-1.1.51 | Ko level "1" inserted in Shorei portion |
2.42-1.52 | 2.42-1.1.52 | Ko level "1" inserted in Shorei portion |
6.5-5 | 6.5-5 | No change — Ko level not applicable |
6.5-5.7 | 6.5-5.1.7 | Ko level "1" inserted in Shorei portion |
7.10.2 | 7.10(2) | Bracket formatting applied — Ko level not applicable |
7.10.2-6.10 | 7.10(2)-6.1.10 | Ko level "1" inserted; bracket formatting applied |
7.10.2-6.10.2 | 7.10(2)-6.1.10(2) | Ko level "1" inserted; bracket formatting applied |
important
A full mapping of current and new English ECNs will be published in the Help and Support before implementation.
Relationship to the April 2026 formatting update
This Ko-level update is separate from the April 2026 formatting update previously communicated for Japan ECNs.
That earlier update replaces the Japanese connector 「の」 with parentheses in affected English ECNs. For example:
- 3.2 → 3(2)
That formatting update affects approximately 500 codes and will also be implemented on
August 6, 2026
.Where an ECN is affected by both updates, the full mapping published in the Help Center will show the combined result so you can use a single reference for all changes.
Recommended actions
If your organization stores or uses English ECNs, review any impacted references before go-live, including:
- internal classification systems or databases
- automated workflows or integrations
- reports, extracts, or documentation
- search, matching, or parsing logic based on current ECN formatting
This is especially important if English ECNs are used as reference values in downstream systems.
Timing & documentation
- Implementation date:August 6, 2026
- Release notes will be provided before go-live
- Detailed guidance, including a full mapping of current and new English ECNs, will be published in the Help Center before implementation
Questions & support
If you have any questions about this update or would like to discuss the impact on your specific setup, please contact your account team or reach out through the Help Center.
Thomson Reuters Global Trade Management | Export Control Content Team