China has placed 20 Japanese companies on an export control list and another 20 on a separate watchlist, intensifying friction between the two countries following earlier comments by Japan’s leader regarding Taiwan, the self-governed island Beijing claims as its territory.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, China’s Commerce Ministry announced that Chinese exporters are prohibited from supplying dual-use goods — items that can serve both civilian and military purposes — to 20 Japanese firms.
Among the affected entities are several subsidiaries of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries engaged in shipbuilding, aircraft engine manufacturing and maritime equipment production.
Units of Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Fujitsu are also included.
The ministry added that foreign organizations and individuals are barred from supplying dual-use goods originating from China to the listed companies.
“All ongoing related activities must cease immediately,” the statement read.
A second list names 20 additional Japanese firms for which Chinese exporters must now apply for individual licenses.
These applications must include risk assessment reports and written assurances that the dual-use products will not be used by Japan’s military.
Firms on this list include Subaru Corporation, Mitsubishi Materials Corporation and Institute of Science Tokyo, among others.
China’s Commerce Ministry said the restrictions are intended to address concerns about Japan’s military and nuclear direction, insisting that the actions “are entirely legitimate, reasonable, and legal.”
The measures “are only aimed at a small number of Japanese entities, and the relevant measures only target dual-use items,” it added.
“They will not affect normal economic and trade exchanges between China and Japan, and honest and law-abiding Japanese entities have absolutely nothing to worry about.”
The move follows remarks made in November by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who suggested Japan could respond militarily in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan.
Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province that it has pledged to reunify with the mainland, by force if necessary, and routinely opposes statements from foreign governments perceived as supporting Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Earlier this month, Takaichi’s party won a decisive majority in parliamentary elections, a result expected to reinforce her conservative agenda on national security, immigration and other policy areas.
