The Ministry of Commerce says it is necessary to safeguard the nation’s security and fulfil international obligations such as nuclear non-proliferation. The number of entities targeted has been minimised to avoid affecting “normal economic and trade exchanges”. Japan’s rearmament represents a real threat. No other country has caused the Chinese people more suffering than Japan in the past 200 years. As long as Japan remained demilitarised within the post-war global order, Beijing and Tokyo could maintain amicable relations, but that order is coming to an end. Unlike Germany, Japan has never gone through a thorough process of reflection and reform.
Entities targeted by Beijing’s new export controls include Japan’s National Institute for Defence Studies, military research institutes and subsidiaries for defence, space and dual-use capabilities under Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. A Kawasaki Heavy Industries subsidiary is also on the list.
Beijing is compelled to respond. The latest export controls are the most moderate measure China could impose. It is unrealistic to expect China to simply watch while Japan rearms itself and inserts itself into the Taiwan issue, which Beijing rightly considers a domestic affair. Tokyo should view this as a chance to reflect on its own belligerence rather than framing it as Chinese aggression. It needs to reflect on the true cause of tensions between the countries. Managing relations with China is critical to Japan’s future development.