China has imposed new export controls on 40 Japanese entities, citing their alleged contribution to the country’s “remilitarization,” as bilateral tensions escalate. The Chinese Commerce Ministry announced Monday that 20 Japanese entities, including several divisions of Mitsubishi Corporation, have been placed on a control list, prohibiting Chinese and foreign exporters from selling them dual-use items manufactured in China.
Dual-use items are materials that can be utilized for both civilian and military purposes. An additional 20 entities were added to a watch list for dual-use items. This list includes Mitsui E&S, which produces ship engines and equipment, as well as divisions of Fujitsu and Komatsu corporations.
Chinese companies exporting to these listed firms will now be required to obtain special licenses. They must also submit risk assessment reports on the Japanese companies and provide written pledges that the dual-use items will not be diverted for military use.
In a statement, China’s Commerce Ministry asserted that these measures are “entirely justified, reasonable and lawful,” aimed at deterring Japan's “reckless pursuit of ‘new militarism.’”. The ministry expressed hope that Japan would “recognize its mistakes, reverse its wrongful course, genuinely reflect on its past and return to the right track.”
Relations between Beijing and Tokyo have been strained, particularly since last year when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Japan might intervene if China used military force against Taiwan. Japan is also bolstering its defense capabilities, including deploying longer-range missiles and allowing lethal weapons exports under a new policy. Japan is expected to revise its defense and security documents by December, potentially increasing its defense budget.
Earlier this week, Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force announced the deployment of a Type-12 missile launcher on the remote island of Minamitorishima, which it described as a response to China's expanding military activities in the Pacific. This follows similar measures in February, when China placed 20 Japanese companies on an export control list and 20 others on a watch list.
The Commerce Ministry stated that since February, Japan has “continued down the wrong path” by accelerating remilitarization, deploying offensive weapons, and launching missiles, rather than reflecting on its past actions.
China views self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has intensified military pressure on the island. Recently, the Chinese Coast Guard conducted patrols east of Taiwan, which state media characterized as a warning to Japan and the Philippines following their announcement to discuss maritime boundaries in waters claimed by Beijing.
In a rare joint statement last week, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France condemned Chinese activities in the waters east of Taiwan and opposed any alteration to the current status quo between China and Taiwan.