The trade and industry minister in a press release said it
will impose export controls on six categories of equipment used in chip
manufacturing, including cleaning, deposition, lithography and etching. It did
not specify China as the target of those measures, saying equipment makers will
need to seek export permission for all regions.
"We are fulfilling our responsibility as a
technological nation to contribute to international peace and stability,"
the ministry said, adding that its goal was to stop advanced technology being
used for military purposes.
The export restrictions, which will come into force in July,
are likely to affect equipment manufactured by a dozen Japanese companies, such
as Nikon Corp 7731.T and Tokyo Electron Ltd 8035.T.
Tokyo's decision comes after the U.S. in October imposed
sweeping restrictions on chipmaking tool exports to China citing concerns that
Beijing planned to use advanced chips to enhance its military power.
Washington, however, needs Japan and the Netherlands, the other key suppliers
of such equipment, to join it to make those restrictions effective.
The Netherlands' government in a letter to the country's
parliament this month also said it plans to restrict chipmaking equipment
exports. Dutch company ASML Holding NV ASML.AS is a key supplier to advanced
lithography machines.
Japan and the Netherlands in January agreed join the U.S. in
restrict chipmaking equipment exports to China, sources earlier said, although
Tokyo has never publicly acknowledged that there was an agreement.
China has accused the U.S. of being a "tech
hegemony" because of its export restrictions.
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