China slaps export controls on dozens of Japanese entities | International Trade
China Imposes Export Controls on Japanese Entities Amid Rising Tensions
Beijing, June 29, 2026 — China has implemented export controls affecting numerous Japanese organizations, marking a significant escalation in its ongoing dispute with Tokyo, which Beijing accuses of fostering “new militarism.”
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on Monday the addition of 20 Japanese entities to its blacklist, prohibiting them from receiving dual-use items that could have military applications. The ministry cited concerns over national security and non-proliferation.
Among the entities blacklisted are the state-affiliated National Institute for Defense Studies, the Naval Systems Research Center, and the Ground Systems Research Center. Several private firms, including Mitsubishi Precision, MHI Logitech, and Kawajyu Gifu Manufacturing, are also included.
Furthermore, 20 additional organizations—such as Mitsui E&S, Terra Drone, and Hitachi Advanced Systems—will now be subject to heightened scrutiny. These entities must submit a risk assessment and assurance that their exports will not bolster Japan’s military capabilities.
A Commerce Ministry spokesperson characterized the measures as “entirely legitimate, reasonable, and lawful,” while asserting that they would not disrupt “normal China-Japan economic and trade exchanges.” The spokesperson criticized Japan for failing to show remorse, alleging that Tokyo has pursued a path of increasing militarism, which includes deploying offensive weapons and missiles abroad.
In response, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Minoru Kihara, urged the Chinese government to revoke the export controls, labeling the actions as “unacceptable.”
These recent measures come on the heels of similar actions taken by Beijing in February, when it added 20 Japanese entities to its blacklist and 20 to its monitoring list in the context of rising tensions related to Taiwan.
China and Japan have a historically complex relationship, marked by territorial and historical disputes. Relations have recently soured further following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who suggested that Japan might militarily intervene should China attempt to assert control over Taiwan. Takaichi’s statements, which indicated that a Chinese invasion could justify Japan’s right to collective self-defense, provoked strong reactions from Beijing.
Since assuming leadership of the conservative Liberal Democratic Party and taking office in October, Takaichi has prioritized national defense, committing to increase military spending to 2% of the nation’s gross domestic product and advocating for amendments to Japan’s pacifist constitution.