China announced on Tuesday the inclusion of 20 Japanese entities on its export control list, including aerospace, naval and defense companies, opening a new chapter in the crisis between the countries that began last year.
Through a statement, released by the Security and Control Department of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Beijing argued that the decision was made based on the Export Control Law and regulations on dual-use goods, with the aim of “protecting national security and interests” and complying with international non-proliferation obligations.
Affected entities include subsidiaries of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Japan Marine United, as well as the National Defense Academy of Japan and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.
From now on, the export of dual-use goods to these entities, as well as the transfer of these products to China from abroad, is prohibited, the ministry said.
Ongoing activities must cease immediately and only in “special circumstances” will exporters be able to request specific authorization from the Ministry.
Remember the crisis between countries
The announcement comes amid escalating tensions between Japan and China, marked by statements made at the end of 2025 by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi about possible intervention by the Japan Self-Defense Forces in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, which China described as “extremely serious”.
The sanctions were announced following this month’s early elections in Japan, in which the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) won two-thirds of the seats in the Lower House of Parliament, and the re-election of Takaichi as prime minister.
Beijing, which has not ruled out using force to achieve “reunification” with Taiwan, has responded in recent months with formal diplomatic protests to Japan, public warnings and economic pressure against what it sees as interference in its internal affairs.