The Chinese government tightened export controls on dual-use items for 40 Japanese institutions and corporations, citing reasons such as involvement in Japan's military buildup or the inability to verify end users and end uses. The Chinese government claimed the tougher export controls aim to stop Japan's remilitarization and attempts at nuclear armament.
China's Ministry of Commerce announced this in a notice on the 29th. Twenty institutions and corporations that participated in Japan's military buildup were placed on the export control list, and 20 Japanese corporations whose end users and end uses cannot be verified were placed on the watch list.
The export control list includes the defense research institute, the land equipment research institute, the ship equipment research institute, and the aviation equipment research institute, as well as Nikkotokki, Nikko YPK Trading, Mitsubishi Electric Defense & Space Technology, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Logi-tek. The watch list includes 20 corporations such as Mitsui E&S, the Mitsui & Co. Aerospace Maintenance Center, Fujitsu Network Solutions, and Komatsu NTC.
Chinese exporters cannot export dual-use items to the export-controlled entities, and overseas organizations or individuals are also prohibited from transferring or providing Chinese-made dual-use items to these institutions. Ongoing related transactions must be stopped immediately, and if an export is required for special reasons, a permit from the Ministry of Commerce must be obtained.
Exporters cannot obtain an export certificate by applying for a general license or through registration-based reporting when exporting dual-use items to these corporations. To apply for an individual license, they must submit a written commitment, along with a risk assessment report, that the items will not be used for purposes that aid Japan's military buildup.
The ministry said it will more strictly review end users and end uses for corporations on the watch list, and will not approve exports if it determines they are for Japanese military use or would help strengthen Japan's military.
The ministry argued the measure is intended to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international nonproliferation obligations, and that it also aims to deter Japan's remilitarization and attempts at nuclear armament. The Spokesperson said, "Rather than reflecting on its wrongdoing, Japan is actively pursuing a 'new militarism,' accelerating remilitarization, deploying offensive weapons, and even launching offensive missiles overseas."
The Spokesperson added, "We hope Japan will turn back from the wrong path, correct its wrongful actions, and truly reflect so it can return to the right track," and "this measure only restricts exports of dual-use items to a small number of Japanese corporations and will not affect normal economic and trade exchanges between China and Japan. Japanese corporations that comply with the law need not worry."
All of the measures take effect immediately upon their announcement on the same day.