Japan Criticizes China’s New Export Restrictions
Japan has criticized new Chinese restrictions on the export of dual-use items to the country, imposed after comments by its prime minister about Chinese military exercises near Taiwan angered Beijing. “Such a measure, targeting only our country, deviates significantly from international practice, is absolutely unacceptable and deeply regrettable,” said Japan’s top government spokesman, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara.
What Are Dual-Use Items
Dual-use items are goods, software or technologies that can have both civil and military applications and can include certain important rare earths used to make items such as drones and computer chips. China followed Tuesday’s restriction by announcing an investigation into imported dichlorosilane, a chemical gas used in the production of semiconductors.
China’s Reason for the Investigation
This came following a request from the domestic industry, which had complained that the prices of chemicals imported from Japan fell by 31% between 2022 and 2024. "The dumping of imported products from Japan has harmed the production and operations of our domestic industry," China’s Commerce Ministry claimed on Wednesday. State-affiliated media quoted sources on Wednesday as saying that Beijing was also considering further restrictions on key rare earth minerals.
Japan’s Response to the Restrictions
The Japanese Foreign Ministry also criticized the restrictions, as did the prime minister’s spokesman, Kihara, but Tokyo has not yet announced any countermeasures against China. Japan is increasing its defense spending and redefining the mandate of its military after decades of being defined as a purely defensive force since its defeat in World War II.
Tensions Between Japan and China
China is increasingly dissatisfied with the comments made by the Japanese government and individual politicians about Taiwan. On November 7, less than a month after taking office, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in a statement to parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would pose an existential threat to Japan.
Japan’s Stance on Taiwan
She even suggested that the Japanese military might mobilize to support the US if it took steps to try to protect the government in Taipei. China, which legally considers the island part of its territory, urged Takaichi to retract the comments. Japan’s first female prime minister has not done so, but said Monday that her government was "open to various opportunities for dialogue with China and has never closed the door."
Contrast with South Korea’s Approach
China’s new restrictions on Japan also coincide with the first state visit by a South Korean president since the COVID pandemic. President Lee Jae Myung completed a four-day trip on Wednesday, during which he and Chinese President Xi Jinping oversaw the signing of several cooperation agreements in areas such as technology, trade, transportation, and environmental protection. Lee and South Korea also did not join the Japanese government in condemning Chinese military exercises near Taiwan in late December.
