Acetic Acid is used to kill unwanted plants (aka "weeds") and Acetone and Methanol are both known to kill plants as well and if you kill your plants you will also get rid of plant diseases and insect pests.

So Japan would be a plantless desert then. Would it be too much to ask for sensible comments from someone who has actually used the product. You do dilute it of course.

You took the words right out of my mouth, ifraser, lol.

I have not used this material, but have heard of it often and for many years. I'd not hesitate in using it, if the gardener would be able to give you dilution rates and other information. Are you going to use it as a soil drench or a foliar spray?

The first place I saw it was when I was deep into the culture of bonsai. One of the places I visited often for inspiration and supplies carried bottles of it. A little goes a very long way, as I recall. Something like a ratio of 1:50 and greater.

Did the gardener also mention its use in raising animals (chicken, beef, and pork)?

Thanks Rhizo,
It can be used as both a foliar spray and a soil drench apparently, though the former requires a much higher dilution 1:300. I was really looking for an organic alternative to Neem Oil. I am a big fan of Neem but it is not effective against all pathogens. Please see my post on the Orchid forum for more details.
I have never heard of its use in animal husbandry - most interesting. What would be its function and how would it be applied?