Japan announces restrictions on microchip exports to China

July 23 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Japanese Government has announced this Sunday the imposition of restrictions on the export of microchips in general and for China in particular, so that semiconductors made with ultraviolet lithography, a technology in which Japan is the world leader, will not be able to be exported.

The new regulations affect 23 product categories, according to Japanese public television, NHK. Products shipped to 42 “whitelisted” destinations including the United States, South Korea or Taiwan that Tokyo considers to have adequate control measures will not be affected. However, shipments to China and other destinations face more stringent restrictions.

The United States has requested restrictions on exports to Japan and the Netherlands, countries with a significant share of the world market for microchips.

The Netherlands has confirmed that it will impose additional control measures on exports of advanced equipment for the manufacture of semiconductors “for reasons of national security” as of September 1.

China has also announced restrictions on exports of rare metals such as gallium or germanium from August 1. Japan has assured that it does not consider these measures announced by Beijing as retaliation and has asked for time to understand and assess the impact of this decision.