Japan will also restrict the sale of chipmaking equipment to China, according to CNN, which will make the country join the United States and the Netherlands in blocking the sale of key technology for the development and advancement of semiconductors to China. Specifically, the measure announced by Japan will affect exports of 23 types of chipmaking equipment.
The measure will enter into force next July, as confirmed by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Yasutoshi Nishimura. But it will not only affect China. The country has acknowledged that the measure will require the establishment of stricter procedures for export to 160 countries, including China. The Japanese government considers export controls to 42 other countries, including the United States, South Korea and Taiwan; they are the right ones.
Exports to all countries that are not formally recognized will have to be approved by the Japanese Ministry of Commerce from now on. According to Nishimura, in Japan they have approved these new measures to prevent the equipment from being used for military purposes. Nishimura has stressed that they will fulfill the responsibilities of him “with the international community, as a country that owns technology«, and that they will contribute «to maintain international peace and security«.
They have also pointed out that the restrictions are not directed towards a specific country. But after the measures they have taken regarding the export of certain technologies to China, the United States and the Netherlands, it is highly unlikely that they are not related.
Last October, the United States banned Chinese companies from buying advanced chips and chip-making equipment without a special license. In addition, it restricted the ability of US citizens to offer support for chip development or production at certain facilities in China.
Just a few weeks ago, the Netherlands also unveiled new restrictions on the export of semiconductor manufacturing technology, citing a need to protect its national security. Japan has been negotiating with both countries, so their new measures could come in relation to these two bans.
China has protested to the World Trade Organization over the blockades on the export of chips by the United States, alleging that they do so for “trade protectionism”. He Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ninghas also charged against this latest measure by Japan, noting that “Weaponizing technological, economic and trade affairs to deliberately destabilize the global industry chain will only hurt others and yourself«.
