China places 20 Japanese entities on export control list to curb rash actions of new militarism

The Ministry of Commerce of China announced that, in accordance with relevant provisions of laws and regulations including the Export Control Law and the Regulations on Export Control of Dual-Use Items, it has decided, in order to safeguard national security and interests and to fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation and preventing the spread of weapons, to include 20 Japanese entities including the Defense Research Institute, which participate in enhancing Japan’s military capabilities, in the export control and management list.

The Ministry of Commerce said that it will prohibit export operators from exporting dual-use items to these 20 entities, prohibit overseas organizations and individuals from transferring or providing dual-use items originating in China to these 20 entities, and that related ongoing activities must be stopped immediately. As for cases where export is truly required under special circumstances, export operators should apply to the Ministry of Commerce.

20 Japanese Entities Included in the Focus/Watch List

The Ministry of Commerce also announced that it has decided to include 20 Japanese entities such as Mitsui E&S Corporation in the focus/watch list, as their end-users and end-uses of dual-use items cannot be verified. Export operators exporting dual-use items to the relevant entities may not apply for general licenses or obtain export permits by registering and filling in information. When applying for item-by-item licenses, they shall submit a risk assessment report for the entities included in the focus/watch list, and provide a written commitment that the dual-use items will not be used for any purposes that contribute to enhancing Japan’s military capabilities.

The Ministry of Commerce stated that it will conduct stricter end-user and end-use reviews for the export of dual-use items to entities on the focus/watch list; exports involving Japanese military users, military uses, and any other end-user uses that contribute to enhancing Japan’s military capabilities will not be approved. Entities on the focus/watch list may apply to be removed from the focus/watch list in accordance with the relevant provisions, provided they fulfill their obligation to cooperate with verification. After verification by the Ministry of Commerce, they may be removed from the focus/watch list.

Aimed at Curbing Japan’s “New Militarism” Recklessness

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said that China’s action is completely justified, reasonable, and lawful, and is intended to resolutely curb Japan’s “new militarism” recklessness. China’s acts of listing entities in accordance with law target only a small number of Japanese entities, and the relevant measures only concern dual-use items, which will not affect normal economic and trade exchanges between China and Japan. Japanese entities that keep faith and comply with laws have nothing to worry about at all.

The spokesperson pointed out that on February 24 this year, China included 20 Japanese entities such as Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in the export control and management list, and included 20 Japanese entities such as Subaru Corporation in the focus/watch list, with the aim of stopping Japan’s “remilitarization” and its attempts to pursue nuclear capabilities. Regrettably, for a period of time, Japan has not corrected its ways; instead, it has gone further down the wrong path, stepping up the pace of “new militarism,” accelerating “remilitarization,” deploying offensive weapons, and launching offensive missiles from overseas. China hopes that Japan will turn back from the wrong path, change its erroneous practices, and truly reflect and return to the right track.

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Other Entities Listed on the Export Control and Management List

The 20 Japanese entities included this time in the export control and management list include: Mitsubishi Electric Defense & Space Technology Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Software Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Technology Corporation, Kowa and Kogyo Corporation, Nisshin Tokki Corporation, Japan Aircraft Corporation, Defense Research Institute, Land Equipment Research Institute, Naval Equipment Research Institute, Aviation Equipment Research Institute, etc.

The 20 Japanese entities included in the focus/watch list include: Mitsui E&S Corporation, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Aerospace Maintenance Center, Mitsubishi Atomic Fuel Corporation, Fujitsu Network Solutions Corporation, Hitachi High-Tech Systems Corporation, Komatsu Industry Machinery Corporation, Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd., etc.