Skip to main content

Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

China has announced another wave of export restrictions for Japanese companies and military research bodies.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: China and Japan have been locked in a slow-burning feud since last November, when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Tokyo could step in militarily if China tried to seize Taiwan (the self-ruled island China says it’ll take by force if it has to). This really pissed off China, and in February, it rolled out export controls on a first batch of Japanese firms it accused of feeding Tokyo’s military buildup. China holds some leverage here as they have a monopoly on rare earths (materials used in everything from EVs and smartphones to missile guidance systems).

China Japan

What’s going on now: China’s Ministry of Commerce announced Monday it was placing 20 Japanese organizations on its export control list, which blocks them from receiving “dual-use” goods that could have military applications without China’s sign-off, and dropped another 20 onto a watch list that forces extra paperwork and written guarantees about where their exports end up.

The targets cut into the heart of Japan’s defense establishment and include the National Institute for Defense Studies plus subsidiaries of companies like Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Electric and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.

In a statement, China’s Commerce Ministry said, “Regrettably, Japan has shown no remorse and instead moved further down the wrong path.” They also accused Tokyo of speeding up its push toward “new militarism,” fielding offensive weapons and firing missiles beyond its own borders.

China’s Foreign Ministry also backed the move as “fully justified, legitimate and lawful” and insisted normal business wouldn’t take a hit. “Law-abiding and trustworthy Japanese entities have no need to worry at all,” spokesperson Guo Jiakun said.

Japan wasn’t buying it, with Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara calling the measures “unacceptable and deeply regrettable” and saying Tokyo had “lodged a strong protest and demanded that the measures be withdrawn.”

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

Keep up to date with our latest videos, news and content