China has prohibited shipments of certain rare earth elements and other materials to Japan that could be utilized for military functions, straining already tense ties between the two nations following the Japanese premier’s recent observations regarding Taiwan.
The broad limitations on so-called dual-use goods—products, services, and technologies that possess both civilian and military applications—are effective straightaway, China’s Ministry of Commerce stated in an announcement Tuesday.
While the ministry did not specify which outbound shipments are affected, a register of dual-use items published by the department lists rare earths, advanced computing components, aerospace and aviation segments, unmanned aerial vehicles, and nuclear-related expertise, among other wares.
Rare earth components are vital to a wide array of manufactured items, from daily consumer electronics and automobiles to sophisticated weaponry such as F-35 combat jets. It remains uncertain how extensive the effect of the newest limitations will be for Japan.
Amity between the two Asian giants has swiftly worsened since Japan’s head, Sanae Takaichi, asserted in parliament in November that a Chinese takeover of Taiwan would represent “a situation threatening Japan’s survival,” potentially prompting a martial response from Tokyo.
China’s governing Communist Party asserts dominion over Taiwan as its territory, notwithstanding never having governed it, and has pledged to incorporate the island, utilizing force if needed.
Following Takaichi’s remarks, Beijing has initiated a string of economic actions meant to coerce Japan into retracting the statements, which include halting air travel to the nation, cautioning its nationals against visiting or studying in Japan, and pausing marine product imports from Japan.
Unmanned electric mining vehicle running in the excavation zone of Huzhou Nanfang Mining Co. on March 14, 2025, in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province of China.
Unmanned electric mining vehicle running in the excavation zone of Huzhou Nanfang Mining Co. on March 14, 2025, in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province of China. Tan Yunfeng/VCG/AP
An agent for China’s trade department indicated the fresh constraints were imposed in reaction to Takaichi’s “inaccurate” statements and for “protecting national security and priorities.”
“These remarks represent a crass meddling in China’s domestic matters, severely breach the single-China doctrine, and are extremely detrimental in character and outcome,” the agent declared in a release Tuesday.
In its report, the ministry added that any entity or person from any nation who flouts the export mandates would bear legal fault.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed in a Tuesday communication that it strongly objected to China’s export oversight mechanisms, and requested their prompt repeal. It noted the measures are “significantly contrary to global norms,” and “entirely unacceptable.”
Associated story
Personnel move earth containing rare earth minerals for export at a harbor in Lianyungang.
What are rare earth minerals, and why are they central to Trump’s trade bargain with China?
Leveraging its worldwide supremacy in the rare earths production chain, China has instituted oversight on these outbound items as a potent implement in the tariff conflict initiated by US President Donald Trump last year. The action caused disruption in sectors across the globe, including the vehicle industry—a vital foundation of Japan’s economy.
This is not the initial instance where Beijing has employed rare earth shipments against Japan. In 2010, China also restricted such conveyances to the nation following a diplomatic misunderstanding sparked by Japan’s apprehension of a Chinese fishing vessel captain near the contested Senkaku Islands, recognized in China as the Diaoyus.
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