When the revised foreign exchange law takes effect April 1, the public will be legally allowed to make the following transactions without prior authorization from the Finance Ministry:

1) Open bank accounts abroad in yen or foreign currencies;

2) Buy stocks and bonds directly from financial institutions abroad;

3) Conduct foreign currency exchange for commercial or private purposes;

4) Sell goods and services in foreign currencies;

5) Settle bills in foreign currencies;

6) Bypass banks for cross-border settlement of bills.