Overview
- China’s Ministry of Commerce issued Avis no 1 de 2026 on January 6, establishing a prohibition on exporting dual-use goods to Japanese users tied to military purposes.
- The measure covers products and technologies with civilian origins that could be diverted to military use, including any end use that might strengthen Japan’s defense capabilities.
- The notice asserts extra-territorial reach by stating that any individual or organization, regardless of nationality, can be held legally responsible for transferring such items from China to Japan.
- Japan called the move absolutely unacceptable and said singling out Japan departs from international practice, according to government spokesman Minoru Kihara.
- State-linked reporting and analysts say Beijing is considering tightening rare-earth shipments to Japan, a potential reprise of curbs from about sixteen years ago as tensions sharpen following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s November remarks on Taiwan.