(Jan 13): Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said assessments were ongoing into the impact of China’s decision to restrict exports to Japan of dual-use items for military purposes, and he added that Tokyo would take appropriate countermeasures in response.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Honolulu Defense Forum, Koizumi reiterated that Japan was demanding the rollback of China’s ban, announced last week, on the sale of more than 800 dual-use items, including rare earths, to end-users that could aid Japan’s military capabilities.
“As there are many unclear aspects regarding the scope and content of these measures, I will refrain from commenting on their impact on the defence industry at this time. However, after careful analysis, we will consider necessary responses,” he said.
Beijing’s move has stoked concerns that it may tighten China’s grip on rare earths, which are critical for various products including electric cars, mobile phones and missiles. The step, described by China as a measure to limit Japan’s military threat, is one of a series of actions taken to apply pressure on Tokyo in a dispute related to Taiwan.
Finance ministers from the Group of Seven nations, along with officials from other countries, met on Monday in Washington to discuss how to address “vulnerabilities in critical minerals supply chains”. China’s dominance has given it leverage in trade talks with the US and in negotiations with other countries on geopolitical matters.
In Asia, tensions have risen between the region’s two biggest economies after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made comments in November that suggested Japan could deploy its military if China uses force to try and seize Taiwan.
See also: Japan’s Takaichi eyes February snap poll to solidify power
The US, a close ally of Japan, has said little publicly directly from Washington in support of Tokyo. Koizumi avoided directly answering a question about whether he would like to see more backing.
“We will continue to overcome challenges together and move forward side by side. That will not change,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Koizumi gave a speech at the annual gathering of US and allied country leaders from the military, government, academia and defence industry. In the speech he decried what he called the “weaponisation of everything”.
See also: Japan seeks support as fears rise over China’s rare earth grip
“The weaponisation of economy, technology, resources, information and cyberspace; the boundary lines between peace-time and contingency between military and non-military; between truth and fake news, these are no longer clearly visible,” he said.
Koizumi is making a stop in Hawaii before travelling to Los Angeles to visit defence companies ahead of a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington on Thursday.
Uploaded by Evelyn Chan
