China’s Ministry of Commerce claims the restrictions are a necessary response to Japan’s shift toward “new militarism.”
Published On 29 Jun 2026
In the latest escalation of a prolonged diplomatic and economic dispute with Tokyo, China has imposed export controls on dozens of Japanese organizations, citing concerns over Japan’s alleged “militarism.”
On Monday, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced that 20 organizations have been added to a blacklist, prohibiting them from receiving dual-use items that could have military applications. The ministry justified the decision by citing national security and non-proliferation interests.
The blacklisted entities include the state-affiliated Naval Systems Research Center, the Ground Systems Research Center, and the National Institute for Defense Studies, along with private firms such as MHI Logitech, Mitsubishi Precision, and Kawajyu Gifu Manufacturing.
Additionally, 20 other organizations—including Hitachi Advanced Systems, Terra Drone, and Mitsui E&S—were placed on a watch list. These entities must now provide written assurances and conduct risk assessments to prove that their exports will not bolster Japan’s military capabilities.
A spokesperson for the Commerce Ministry described the measures as “entirely legitimate, reasonable, and lawful,” asserting that they do not interfere with standard economic and trade relations between the two nations.
The spokesperson added: “Regrettably, for some time now, Japan has shown no remorse; instead, it has gone further down the wrong path, accelerating its push towards ‘new militarism,’ speeding up ‘remilitarisation,’ deploying offensive weapons, and launching offensive missiles overseas.”
Japan’s chief cabinet secretary, Minoru Kihara, condemned the restrictions as “unacceptable” and called on Beijing to revoke the measures.
These new restrictions follow a similar move in February, when Beijing placed another 20 Japanese entities on its blacklist and 20 on its monitoring list during a period of heightened tension regarding the status of Taiwan.
While China and Japan have a long history of friction over territorial and historical grievances, relations deteriorated significantly late last year. This decline followed comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who suggested that Tokyo might intervene militarily if China attempted to seize control of Taiwan.
Beijing, which views Taiwan as an inseparable part of its territory that must be “reunified” with the mainland, was outraged by Takaichi’s suggestion that a Chinese invasion could justify Japan’s use of collective self-defense under its constitution.
Since taking office in October after winning the leadership of the conservative Liberal Democratic Party, Takaichi has prioritized national defense. Her administration has increased military spending to 2 percent of GDP and has pushed for amendments to the pacifist clause of Japan’s war-renouncing constitution.
