The Japanese government announced that from April 26, new export control measures will be implemented on four categories of semiconductor - and quantum - related technologies. This decision significantly strengthens Japans regulatory role in global cutting - edge technology trade and also reflects the growing tensions in the global technology policy field.

According to the Nikkei, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced this policy on April 26, requiring all export activities of these cutting - edge technologies to obtain prior government approval. The four categories include electron microscopes for obtaining integrated circuit images and gate - all - around technology, etc. These technologies have not been included in the Wassenaar Arrangement - a multilateral export control framework that currently covers major countries worldwide.

Japans move aims to prevent these high - tech technologies from being diverted for military purposes, especially in the context of the intensifying Sino - US confrontation and frequent technological conflicts in international relations. The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry mentioned in a mid - term report that for cutting - edge materials and equipment that may be used in the military field, when companies transfer technologies overseas, the obligation of prior reporting will be strengthened.

The implementation of these new measures is based on a broader international trend, that is, governments around the world are increasingly taking actions to ensure that key technologies do not fall into the hands of potential opponents. In early 2023, the United States, Japan, and the Netherlands reached an agreement on export restrictions on cutting - edge chip technologies, aiming to prevent relevant technologies from being obtained by China and potentially diverted for military applications.

Japan has revised regulations related to the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act, further expanding the measures that took effect in July last year. At that time, Japan had already strengthened export controls on 23 types of chip manufacturing equipment, including lithography machines. Except for exports to 42 countries and regions deemed as "friendly," all other export destinations require approval from Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce expressed serious concerns about Japans decision and warned that individual countries politicization of economic and trade issues, generalization of the concept of national security, and weakening of economic and trade ties with China not only harm the interests of both sides enterprises, but also undermine the long - established win - win cooperation model and pose a threat to the safety and stability of the global industrial and supply chains.

Japans new policy may, to some extent, exacerbate tensions with China and other countries in the fields of science, technology, and trade. Although the Japanese government emphasizes that these measures aim to protect national security and comply with international regulations, critics believe that this approach may have a long - term impact on international cooperation and the free trade system.