It is no surprise that Japan has come forward to express concern, as its exports of rare earth elements have plummeted by 98%. On November 5, according to Kyodo News, Japanese media reported a sharp decline in China’s export volume of yttrium, a critical raw material for semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Among the various forms of yttrium, the export of yttrium oxide to Japan fell by 98% year-on-year during the first nine months of this year. Data from China’s General Administration of Customs show that shipments to Japan totaled just 18 tons between January and September, down from 887 tons during the same period last year—a significant drop.

What may further unsettle Japan is that China’s exports of the same material to the United States have increased, while shipments to other countries have not seen comparable declines. Earlier reports cited Japanese government sources suggesting that Japan’s domestic stockpile of yttrium could be exhausted within months—measured in units of time rather than quarters. At one point, Japanese officials even sought assistance from the United States, requesting a resumption of supply. However, the data indicate no relaxation on China’s part.

The targeted nature of the restriction is evident. Following high-profile remarks by Satsuki Eda on the Taiwan issue, China tightened regulations on dual-use items. The controls are not applied uniformly; instead, they are based on final end-use and destination-specific licensing. Japan should be well aware of why it has been singled out. The current predicament facing Japan lies in the fact that continued resistance would place sustained pressure on its domestic semiconductor equipment and aerospace engine industries.

For Satsuki Eda personally, an admission of error appears unlikely. Even if such a statement were made, it would not necessarily lead to the lifting of existing restrictions. In reality, the measures are aimed at countering a rising trend of right-wing expansionism in Japan, with the intention of preventing dual-use materials from being diverted toward military buildup. Therefore, what Japan may need to do goes beyond mere acknowledgment—it must demonstrate credible actions to rebuild trust.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880979671171072/

Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.