Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
According to Kyodo News, Japan's Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato said at a press conference on the 24th that Japan strongly protested China's inclusion of Japanese companies in the export control list and demanded that the measures be withdrawn.
China's Ministry of Commerce issued an announcement on the 24th, adding 20 Japanese entities "involved in enhancing Japan's military strength" to the export control list, including subsidiaries of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, etc. From now on, export operators are prohibited from exporting dual-use items to these 20 entities. Kyodo News said this may take into account the export of rare earths. This move seems to be a countermeasure to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Taiwan-related defense, and is intended to increase pressure on Japan.
Another announcement from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce showed that 20 other Japanese entities, including Subaru, Hino Motors, and TDK, were included in the export control watch list. The announcement pointed out that the end user and end use of dual-use items cannot be verified, and the Ministry of Commerce will implement stricter review of the export of dual-use items by entities on the watch list. Kyodo News believes that exports of rare earths and other items that the Chinese government defines as dual-use items may further stagnate.
Kei Sato said: "Absolutely unacceptable and extremely regrettable. We have lodged a strong protest and requested the withdrawal of the measures."
The named companies expressed opinions such as "the impact will be assessed."
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said that the above-mentioned measures are aimed at stopping Japan's "remilitarization" and nuclear weapons attempts, and are completely legitimate, reasonable and legal. China's listing in accordance with the law only targets a small number of Japanese entities. The relevant measures only target dual-use items and will not affect the normal economic and trade exchanges between China and Japan. Japanese entities that are honest and law-abiding have nothing to worry about.
