By The South Asia Times

Tokyo - Japan on Thursday called on China to lift its latest ban on exports of dual-use items, as diplomatic friction between the two neighbors continues to intensify following recent political disputes and growing strategic mistrust.

The appeal was made during a meeting at Japan’s Foreign Ministry in Tokyo between Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi and Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao, according to an official statement, according to Kyodo News.

Tokyo urged Beijing to reverse the restrictions and avoid measures that could further strain bilateral economic and diplomatic relations.

China imposed the export ban earlier this week, on Tuesday, targeting a range of items classified as “dual-use,” meaning they can be used for both civilian and military purposes. While Beijing has not publicly detailed the full scope of the restrictions, Japanese officials said they are assessing whether the affected products include sensitive materials such as rare earths—resources critical to high-tech manufacturing, defense systems, and clean-energy technologies.

The move comes against the backdrop of escalating diplomatic tension between the two countries, particularly since remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November regarding a potential contingency involving Taiwan. Those comments drew a strong reaction from Beijing, which considers Taiwan a core national interest and views any foreign discussion of the island’s security as interference in China’s internal affairs.

Since then, China has stepped up political pressure on Tokyo, with analysts in Japan interpreting the latest export restrictions as part of a broader effort to signal displeasure and assert leverage in economic and strategic domains.

During Thursday’s meeting, Vice Foreign Minister Funakoshi conveyed Japan’s concerns over the ban’s potential impact on trade, industrial supply chains, and regional stability. He emphasized the importance of maintaining open economic channels and resolving disputes through dialogue rather than unilateral measures.

Japanese officials said the government is closely examining the categories of goods covered by the ban to determine whether strategically important materials—such as rare earth elements—are included. Any disruption in the supply of such materials could have significant consequences for Japan’s manufacturing sector, which relies heavily on imports for advanced electronics, automotive production, and defense-related industries.

For its part, China has maintained that its export controls are based on national security considerations and international non-proliferation obligations. However, the timing of the measures has fueled speculation in Tokyo that the decision is linked to broader political disagreements, particularly over Taiwan and Japan’s evolving security posture in the region.

The latest exchange underscores the fragile state of Japan–China relations, which have been marked in recent years by disputes over territorial issues, security alignments, and technology controls. While both sides continue to engage diplomatically, the export ban highlights the growing intersection of economic policy and geopolitical rivalry in East Asia.

Japan reiterated its call for restraint and dialogue, urging Beijing to lift the restrictions and prevent further escalation at a time when regional stability is already under strain