By Micah Jonah
January 8, 2026
China says its ban on exports of dual use items to Japan will be limited strictly to military companies, a move Beijing says is aimed at easing concerns that the restrictions could disrupt supplies of rare earth materials critical to Japan’s automotive and electronics industries.
Speaking on Thursday, a spokesperson for China’s commerce ministry said civilian users would not be affected by the measures. Dual use items refer to goods, software or technologies that can serve both civilian and military purposes. These include certain rare earth magnets used in car components such as speakers, side mirrors and oil pumps, as well as in electric vehicles.
“Civilian users will not be affected,” said He Yadong, a spokesperson for the ministry. “China has always been committed to the stability and security of global production and supply chains.”
He did not specify whether rare earth elements are covered by the current export ban and declined to comment on reports in Chinese state media, suggesting the government is considering tighter licensing controls on rare earth exports to Japan.
China operates an export control list covering about 1,100 dual use items and technologies that require licences for overseas shipment, regardless of destination. The list includes several categories of medium and heavy rare earths, though authorities have not clarified which specific items are affected by the latest restrictions targeting Japan.
Relations between Beijing and Tokyo have worsened in recent months, particularly after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan’s survival could prompt a military response. China condemned the remarks as provocative.
“Exports to Japan for military purposes, or that could have military applications, as well as all other end uses that enhance Japan’s military capabilities, are prohibited,” He said. He added that China’s objective of preventing what it describes as Japan’s re militarization is “legitimate, justified, lawful.”
Japan reacted strongly to the announcement. Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi lodged a formal protest with China’s ambassador to Japan, Wu Jianghao, demanding that Beijing withdraw the export ban, according to Japan’s foreign ministry. The Chinese embassy said Wu rejected the protest.
Last month, Japan’s cabinet approved a record defence spending plan for the fiscal year beginning in April, including a 3.8 percent increase in annual military expenditure to about 9 trillion yen, equivalent to 58 billion dollars.
The dispute highlights rising strategic tensions between China and Japan, particularly over security issues linked to Taiwan and Japan’s expanding defence posture.
