As their two-month-old dispute intensifies, Japan stated on Friday that international trade should be “smooth” in response to media accusations that China was delaying Japanese imports and rare-earth exports.
“Generally speaking, it is important that the overseas export of Japan’s agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and foodstuffs is smooth,” chief government spokesman Minoru Kihara said when asked about the reports.
“Generally speaking, I believe that international trade in rare earths should proceed smoothly, and I consider this to be extremely important,” Kihara told a regular briefing.
Kyodo News reported that China-bound exports of Japanese sake and food items have been delayed, citing trade industry sources.
The “slow customs clearance” is believed to be part of China’s reaction to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s suggestion in November of a Japanese military response to any seizure of Taiwan by Beijing, Kyodo said.
Affected companies have contacted the Japanese embassy in Beijing, Kyodo reported.
According to a source acquainted with bilateral ties who spoke to the news agency, the delegation has asked China to promote transparency and manage trade procedures appropriately.
China has started restricting exports of rare earths and rare-earth magnets to Japan, according to a separate Wall Street Journal article.
China declared on Tuesday that “dual-use” products with possible military uses would not be allowed to be exported to Japan.
China has since begun restricting exports to Japanese companies of scarce and expensive “heavy” rare earths, as well as the powerful magnets containing them, the Journal said, citing two exporters in China.
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