China’s Ministry of Commerce Imposes Export Controls on Dual-Use Goods to 20 Japanese Companies Including Mitsubishi
Subaru and 20 other companies placed on watch list; tightening of dual-use export reviews. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce states the actions are to prevent Japan’s remilitarization and nuclear possession attempts.
[Beijing = Edaily correspondent Lee Myung-chul] The Chinese government implemented export control measures against Japan immediately after the long Lunar New Year holiday.
The Ministry of Commerce announced on its website on the 24th that it included 20 Japanese companies on its export control list and placed another 20 companies on a watch list.
According to a spokesperson from the Ministry of Commerce, the move includes 20 companies involved in strengthening Japan’s military capabilities, such as Mitsubishi’s shipyards, on the list of dual-use controls (items that can be used for both civilian and military purposes).
The control targets include Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ affiliated shipyards, aircraft engines, marine machinery and equipment, engine and turbochargers companies, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Aerospace Systems, Kawaju Kifu Engineering, Fujitsu Defense and National Security, and several others.
The decision to take this measure comes under the relevant provisions of the People’s Republic of China Export Control Law and the Dual-Use Items Export Control Regulations, aiming to protect national security and interests and fulfill international obligations against proliferation. China defines these 20 companies as participants in Japan’s military enhancement.
The ministry spokesperson noted, “Firstly, export businesses are prohibited from exporting dual-use items to the mentioned entities, and foreign organizations or individuals cannot transfer or provide such items to the entities from China. Ongoing activities must be immediately halted.”
Subaru Corporation, Fuji Aerospace Technology, ENEOS Corporation, USOKI, Itochu Aerospace, Reda Group Holdings, Tokyo Science Laboratory Mitsubishi, ASPP, Yashima Denki, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, and 20 other Japanese corporations are added to the watch list due to the inability to confirm the final user and end-use of dual-use items.
For dual-use item exports to companies on the watch list, general permits and export certificates cannot be obtained by registering or filling out information. When applying for a single permit, an assessment report of risks associated with the monitored entities must be submitted, along with a written promise that dual-use items will not be used to enhance Japan’s military capabilities.
The Ministry of Commerce stated that it would strengthen the review of dual-use item exports for organizations on the watch list and will not approve any exports contributing to Japanese military users or purposes.
The spokesperson concluded, “These measures are intended to prevent Japan’s remilitarization and nuclear possession attempts, being completely rational and lawful. China’s legal registration activity is limited to a few Japanese companies, and the measures apply only to dual-use items, thus not affecting normal economic and trade exchanges between China and Japan.”