Japan should cooperate to limit the import of chips and chip technology to China. The United States has put that question directly to Japan, writes the Kyodo news agency based on insiders.
The US Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, is said to have made that request by telephone to the Japanese Minister of Commerce, Yasutoshi Nishimura. It would be the first time a request has been made at that high administrative level.
In October, the US introduced far-reaching restrictions on the export of advanced chips and chip production machines to China. Washington wants to prevent China from posing a more significant economic and military threat.
The Netherlands and Japan are the largest suppliers of machines and knowledge needed to make advanced semiconductors outside the US. Unfortunately, for the time being, Washington has not yet succeeded in getting these countries fully involved in their attitude towards China.
Earlier reports came out that the Netherlands would like stricter controls on the export of chip equipment to China. The Dutch measure, which may be agreed upon this year, is essentially a ratification and possible extension of the unofficial ban on the sale of certain technology to China.
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