The Takaichi Fallout: Why China implement targeted export controls on Japan

Editor's note: Xue Tianhang is an associate researcher at the Institute for National Strategy and Regional Development, Zhejiang University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

China's Ministry of Commerce issued an announcement on Tuesday stating that, in accordance with the Export Control Law of the People's Republic of China and the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Export Control of Dual‑Use Items, and in order to safeguard national security and interests and fulfill international obligations such as non-proliferation, China has decided to include 20 entities, including Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., which have been involved in enhancing Japan's military capabilities, on the export control list. At the same time, another 20 Japanese entities, including Subaru Corporation, whose end users and end uses of dual-use items cannot be verified, have been placed on a watch list. Specifically, the Japanese entities included in the export control list are mainly those involved in enhancing Japan's military capabilities.

China's export control measures are fully grounded in laws and regulations. The purpose is to precisely cut off supply chains that could contribute to the revival of Japanese militarism and to prevent Japan from attempting to remilitarize itself and acquire nuclear weapons. These measures are entirely justified, reasonable, and lawful. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce emphasized that the listing targets only a small number of Japanese entities in accordance with the law, and the relevant measures apply solely to dual-use items and will not affect normal economic and trade exchanges between China and Japan. Law-abiding and compliant Japanese entities have no reason for concern.

During World War II, Japanese militarism flagrantly launched wars of aggression against China and other Asian countries, bringing profound disasters to China, the Asia-Pacific region, and the world.

Following Japan's defeat, the Potsdam Proclamation mandated the dissolution of Japan's military forces, the eradication of militarist elements, and a strict prohibition on retaining any industry capable of rearmament. Japan's "Peace Constitution" also forms the legal basis for the principle of an "exclusively defense-oriented policy". 

However, since Sanae Takaichi assumed office as Japan's prime minister, the Japanese government has demonstrated unprecedented aggressiveness in strengthening and expanding its military. Japan's defense budget reached 9.04 trillion yen ($58 billion) in 2026, setting a record high and achieving the target of raising defense spending to 2 percent of GDP two years ahead of its original schedule. Of particular concern are Japan's plans to remove the rule limiting the scope of defense equipment export to five categories, attempts to revise the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," and exploration of the possibility of "independent nuclear armament". Even worse, Takaichi has also publicly called for amending Article 9 of the "Peace Constitution" in an attempt to fundamentally overturn Japan's pacifist framework, restore its right to wage war, and realize the so-called "national normalization". These actions seriously violate international law, pose a grave threat to the post-war international order, and send alarming signals of a possible resurgence of militarism, triggering strong protests from the international community.

What's more, Takaichi's actions have also sparked domestic opposition in Japan. In an editorial, Tokyo Shimbun warned that the Japanese government's push to expand arms exports would only fuel international conflicts, and that an excessive tilt toward militarization in Japan's security policy could further worsen the regional security environment. Xinhua News Agency cited Professor Yasukatsu Matsushima of Ryukoku University as saying that the expansion of right-wing forces and accelerated military deployment in Japan reflects a continuation of its historical expansionist logic under the pretext of a "national survival crisis," concealing real risks of militarist resurgence. Meanwhile, Shigeaki Koga, a former official at Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, has called on Japan to shift from the "Takaichi's militaristic path" to a "peace-oriented national path". As a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated, China urges Japan to earnestly reflect on its actions, correct its course, and avoid going further down the wrong path.