China widens Japan export curbs, targeting drone makers, nuclear firms and defense institutes

China on Monday blacklisted four Japanese government defense research institutes and imposed tighter export restrictions on dozens of other Japanese entities, escalating a months-long campaign to limit Tokyo’s access to Chinese-origin dual-use goods.

The Ministry of Commerce added 20 entities on the export control list and another 20 — including Mitsui E&S Co., drone maker Terra Drone Corporation, nuclear fuel processors, and multiple units of OKI Electric Industry — on a watch list requiring enhanced licensing scrutiny. Both actions take effect immediately.

The authorities would implement “stricter end-user and end-use reviews on exports of dual-use items by entities on the watch list,” the ministry said.

“Exports involving Japanese military users, military uses, and any other end-user uses that contribute to enhancing Japan’s military strength will not be approved,” according to the statement.

In February, China prohibited exports of dual-use items to 20 Japanese entities that Beijing said supplied Japan’s military.

In a statement Monday, a spokesperson for the commerce ministry said Japan had shown no remorse since the February listings and had instead “accelerated” its push toward what Beijing characterizes as “new-style militarism” — including deploying offensive weapons and launching offensive missiles overseas.

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