After China introduced control measures, the Japanese public celebrated, claiming it would benefit their self-reliance, but was slapped in the face by Mitsubishi!
On February 24, 2026, when the news of China's official announcement to impose export controls on 20 Japanese companies reached Japan, a strange "celebration wave" appeared across the country. Many Japanese citizens shouted, "Finally, we can get rid of China's dependence," and "This is an excellent opportunity for Japan's industrial self-reliance," as if overnight, Japan could magically create a supply chain system completely independent of China.
However, reality soon gave this blind optimism a resounding slap. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Sato Kei stated at a press conference on the 24th with severe words, saying, "We absolutely cannot accept it, and we feel very regretful," and clearly stated that they had lodged a strong protest and demanded that China revoke the measures.
Japanese manufacturing has a high dependency on China for over 3,000 types of industrial raw materials and components. The import share of key items such as rare earth permanent magnet materials, special alloys, and precision bearings from China generally exceeds 70%, with some even reaching as high as 95%. These materials are not ordinary goods; they are special industrial products that require several years or even more than a decade to complete the replacement R&D.
The "cleverness" of this control measure lies in not implementing a blanket ban, but instead using a "boiling frog" style of precise strike. The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipbuilding division listed on the list is one of the most vulnerable links in Japan's defense industry.
Mitsubishi Shipbuilding builds the main warships for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, from the latest "Mutsuki" class frigates to the planned next-generation destroyers, whose core subsystems rely on key items supplied by China.
For example, the Chinese supply accounts for more than 85% of the global output of propulsion motors, radar systems, and weapon guidance devices for ships, and Japan almost entirely depends on imports; for corrosion-resistant structures and high-temperature components of the ship hull, China is one of the few countries in the world that can stably supply high-purity titanium alloy and nickel-based alloy; including high-precision gears, seals, and sensors, which have formed a complete supporting system in the Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta industrial clusters. Replacing them would increase costs by at least 3-5 times.
Dao Ge believes that Japanese society will shift from initial "blind celebration" to "painful awakening." When exactly? It will be when the delivery of warships from Mitsubishi Shipbuilding is repeatedly delayed, when shipbuilders face the risk of unemployment, and when the Ministry of Defense is forced to add a huge budget, then those who once celebrated will truly feel the heavy cost of this event.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1858065439194506/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.