Japan Planning New Chip Controls This Spring, Report Says

Amid lobbying from the U.S. to take a tougher stance on China, Japan plans to introduce new export controls on advanced semiconductor technology and manufacturing equipment this spring, The Japan Times reported Feb. 5. The country will specifically place new restrictions on chip technology used for military applications, the report said, and will first solicit feedback from industry and others. The new regulations “will not explicitly name China” because Japan doesn’t want to “trigger retaliatory measures,” the report said. The U.S. reportedly concluded talks with Japan and the Netherlands in January after months of lobbying both governments to impose tougher export controls on chip-related items destined to China (see 2301270002).