Japan to Impose New Chip Export Controls, Announces More Russia Restrictions

Japan last week said it plans to impose new export controls on certain semiconductor manufacturing equipment, a move that could align its restrictions with some of the sweeping China controls released by the U.S. in October. The Japanese restrictions will apply to 23 types of chip items and covering six categories of equipment used in chip manufacturing, including cleaning, deposition, lithography and etching, Reuters reported March 31.

“We are fulfilling our responsibility as a technological nation to contribute to international peace and stability," Yasutoshi Nishimura, Japan’s minister for economy, trade and industry, said during a news conference, according to the report.

Japan’s announcement comes after months of courting by the U.S, which has tried to convince both Japanese and Dutch officials to align with controls it released last year that significantly expanded restrictions on certain chip exports and activity involving China (see 2210070049). The Netherlands last month announced plans to impose new controls on some advanced semiconductor production equipment produced in its country (see 2303090032).

Nishimura didn’t specifically mention China during his news conference, Reuters reported, saying only that Japan wants to prevent its advanced technology from being used for military purposes.The measures will take effect in July.

A Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson criticized the move. “To politicize, instrumentalize and weaponize trade and tech issues and destabilize the global industrial and supply chains will benefit no one and will eventually backfire,” the spokesperson said during a March 31 press conference.

Japan announced other export control measures last week, including more restrictions targeting Russia, according to an unofficial translation of a notice from its economy, trade and industry ministry. The country will impose an “export ban” on a range of products, including steel, aluminum, various “machinery,” electrical equipment, aircraft, spacecraft, optical equipment, “scale models” and more. The measures took effect March 31.