S/ Kihara Minoru, Chief Cabinet Secretary / This measure, which targets only our country, deviates significantly from international practice and is absolutely unacceptable and deeply regrettable.

On January 7, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara Minoru criticized China’s ban on exporting dual-use items that can be applied to both civilian and military purposes.

Concerning whether rare earths are included among the restricted goods, the top Japanese government spokesman said there are many unclear points as to the scope of the measure.

He expressed intention to continue verifying the details.

On January 6, Kanai Masaaki, the director-general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, lodged a strong protest with the Chinese Embassy’s deputy chief of mission and demanded the withdrawal of the measure.