Beijing has imposed new export controls on 40 Japanese entities, directly targeting the nation's defense capabilities. These measures, announced Monday by China's Commerce Ministry, restrict the sale of dual-use items and represent a clear challenge to Japan's sovereign right to secure its borders and protect its people.
The controls place 20 Japanese firms, including multiple divisions of Mitsubishi Corporation, on a list prohibiting Chinese and foreign exporters from selling them dual-use items made in China. Another 20 entities, such as Mitsui E&S, Fujitsu, and Komatsu corporations, now sit on a watch list. Chinese companies exporting to these firms must apply for special licenses, submit risk assessment reports, and provide written pledges that the items won't be used for military purposes.
Assault on National Defense
China's Commerce Ministry declared these curbs "entirely justified, reasonable and lawful." They aim to "firmly deter Japan’s reckless pursuit of ‘new militarism’," the ministry stated. Beijing hopes Japan will "recognize its mistakes, reverse its wrongful course, genuinely reflect on its past and return to the right track." Japan's top government spokesperson, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, called the curbs "unacceptable and extremely regrettable." He demanded Beijing retract the measures, promising Japan would take necessary countermeasures after assessing their impact.
Japan's military, under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, has been equipped with more offensive capabilities. This includes long-range missiles on remote islands. A new policy now permits exports of lethal weapons. Japan plans to revise its defense and security documents by December, potentially increasing its defense budget further. The Ground Self-Defense Force announced Monday the deployment of a Type-12 missile launcher on Minamitorishima, a southernmost remote island. This deployment appears to be a direct response to China’s expanding activity into the Pacific.
About 4 months ago, China placed 20 Japanese companies on an export control list and 20 others on a watch list. The Commerce Ministry claims Japan has since "continued down the wrong path" by accelerating remilitarization, deploying offensive weapons, and launching missiles. The ministry insists the curbs affect only a small number of entities and only dual-use items. They claim the measures "do not affect normal Sino-Japanese economic and trade exchanges, and honest and law-abiding Japanese entities have absolutely nothing to worry about."
Beijing's Regional Hegemony
Taiwan remains a particularly sensitive issue for Beijing. China considers the self-ruled island its own territory, threatening to retake it by force if necessary. Military pressure on Taiwan has intensified. Earlier this month, the Chinese coast guard conducted patrols east of Taiwan. State media described this as a "pointed warning" to Japan and the Philippines. These patrols occurred after an announcement that those countries would discuss maritime boundaries in waters Beijing claims as its own.
Last week, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France issued a rare joint statement. They condemned Chinese activities in the waters east of Taiwan. These nations opposed any change of the status quo between China and Taiwan. George Chen, a partner for Greater China at The Asia Group, views the export controls as a "diplomatic message." He noted Beijing is stepping up pressure on Tokyo. Chen stated that "concerns are growing in China about deeper defense cooperation between Japan, the United States, and potentially other partners." Japan-China relations will likely remain fragile, he added. They risk "slipping further if neither side moves to arrest the downward trend."