Japan: Japan’s government has announced that it plans to restrict exports of 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, following similar moves by the US and the Netherlands.

Japan, a country home to major international chip equipment makers such as Nikon Corp. and Tokyo Electron Ltd., did not refer to China as the target of those measures, stating 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 of Economy, Trade, and Industry noted in a statement.

According to the Ministry, the move is to stop advanced technology from being used for military purposes.

Industry minister Mr. Yasutoshi Nishimura told a news conference that Japan does not have one specific country in mind with the measures.

“If our exports are not being reappropriated for military use, we will continue exporting. We believe the impact on companies will be limited,” Mr. Nishimura added.

However, Tokyo’s decision is widely viewed as a major diplomatic win for the US administration, which in October 2022 announced sweeping restrictions on China’s access to US chipmaking technology.

According to reports, in January 2023, Japan and the Netherlands agreed to join the US in restricting chipmaking equipment exports to China that could be used to manufacture sub-14 nanometer chips but did not announce the pact to avoid provoking Beijing. Tokyo has never publicly acknowledged any agreement.

WORLD ROUNDUP: China threatens retaliation if Taiwan President meets US House speaker