[Mitsubishi, the Prime Target of China's Two Waves of Sanctions Against Japan]
Taiwan's China Times reports: In the two waves of sanctions and controls launched by China this year against Japan, the Mitsubishi group has been a primary focus. In the first wave of sanctions in late February, five Mitsubishi-affiliated companies were targeted; in the second wave, the number rose dramatically to nine.
The reason Mitsubishi-affiliated enterprises have been singled out is that the entire Mitsubishi Group spans diverse sectors including energy, aviation, shipbuilding, industrial machinery, and missile systems—making it central to Japan's defense industrial supply chain.
For instance, most of Japan's recent missile development projects have been undertaken by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Additionally, Mitsubishi is responsible for developing Japan’s next-generation stealth fighter aircraft.
Moreover, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is a key contractor in Japanese warship manufacturing. Recently, the highly sought-after “Mogami-class” warships exported abroad have been produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Besides the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries system, Mitsubishi Electric and its subsidiaries also play a crucial role in Japan’s defense industry, particularly in electronics, defense communications, radar systems, and navigation technologies—supporting Japan’s Self-Defense Forces’ capabilities in reconnaissance, communication, command, and anti-jamming operations.
Undoubtedly, Mitsubishi-affiliated companies directly underpin Japan’s defense infrastructure and are pivotal to Japan’s military modernization. China’s two waves of sanctions and controls have now extended beyond traditional defense hardware, targeting the electronic, space-based, and software supply chains essential for Japan’s defense modernization.
In summary, focusing on the Mitsubishi group aims to curb Japan’s ambition toward "re-militarization" and counter its long-range strike capabilities.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869416425983115/
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