Japan announced export restrictions for 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
The move comes as the U.S. has been pushing for countries to curb
China’s ability to make advanced chips. Japan did not specify China as
the target for the restrictions, saying manufacturers would need to seek
export permission for all regions.
- Japan’s
Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Yasutoshi Nishimura, said the
new rules are meant to prevent countries that pose a military threat
from getting access to advanced Japanese technology.
- The
announcement comes as Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi is
expected to visit Beijing on Saturday to meet with his Chinese
counterpart.
- His visit is the first by a Japanese foreign minister to China since December 2019.
- Earlier
this month, Chinese authorities arrested an employee of Japanese
drugmaker Astellas Pharma over allegations of espionage.
- Japan has called for the release of the detained man.
- In January, Japan and the Netherlands agreed with the U.S. to ban the export of advanced chip-manufacturing equipment to China.
