The Japanese military has been hit with new export controls from China over comments about Taiwan.
China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed that all dual-use items "that could enhance Japan’s military capabilities” were banned from being exported to Japan for military use, effective immediately.
This control list has more than 800 items, including chemicals, electronics, equipment and aerospace technologies.
In response, Vice Minister Funakoshi Takehiro, said in a statement he had “strongly protested” the decision in a conversation with the Chinese ambassador to Japan, Wu Jianghao.
“[He] demanded the withdrawal of the recent measures to strengthen export controls targeting dual-use items to Japan by the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China,” Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in the statement.
The new restrictions are believed to have come from comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last year .
The recently elected leader stated in parliament last November that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would constitute “a situation threatening Japan’s survival".
