Daijiworld Media Network - Beijing

Beijing, Jun 29: China on Monday added 20 Japanese organisations, including the National Institute for Defense Studies, to its export control list, restricting the supply of Chinese dual-use goods and technologies to the entities.

The move is seen as the latest expansion of Beijing’s technology and national security-related restrictions amid growing geopolitical tensions with Japan, the United States and their allies.

China’s Ministry of Commerce said the decision was taken to safeguard national security and interests while fulfilling international obligations, including non-proliferation commitments.

“For the purpose of safeguarding national security and interests and fulfilling international obligations including non-proliferation, it has been decided to include 20 Japanese entities that have participated in enhancing Japan’s military capabilities on the export control list,” the ministry said.

Under the new restrictions, organisations and individuals are prohibited from transferring or supplying Chinese dual-use items to the listed entities. Dual-use products are goods and technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes.

The National Institute for Defense Studies is among the organisations included in the latest list.

The announcement comes a week after China imposed similar restrictions on 10 US entities, including rare earth companies MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, following Washington’s decision to place several Chinese firms under export restrictions.

China had described the action against US companies as a response to what it called the “malicious practice” of the US government and said the restrictions were aimed at protecting national security.

The measures effectively blocked exports of dual-use products to the listed American firms, tightening earlier rules that required exporters to obtain licences.

Analysts said the restrictions against US companies were largely symbolic as many of the affected firms had limited business exposure in China.

“Most of the companies are US defence industry players or have close connections with the US government. Those companies are not going to do business in China, so the impact will be quite symbolic,” said George Chen, partner for Greater China at geopolitical advisory firm The Asia Group.

China also announced procurement restrictions on 46 US companies last week, preventing Chinese buyers from purchasing their products while allowing US-funded enterprises operating in China to continue transactions.

The latest action against Japanese entities indicates that Beijing is expanding its use of export controls beyond its trade dispute with Washington, as military technology and strategic supply chains become increasingly central to global economic tensions.