Japan to lift chip material export curbs on South Korea as ties improve

Japan has lifted export controls on key chip materials against South Korea after Seoul withdrew its complaint with the World Trade Organization over the matter. The two countries’ industry ministries said the decision came after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held talks during the first visit to Japan by a South Korean president in four years. In July 2019, Japan tightened controls on exports to South Korea of fluorinated polyimide, resists and hydrogen fluoride used in chip production after bilateral relations deteriorated over wartime labour and other matters. The Japanese ministry stressed it would continue to consider whether to reinstate South Korea as a preferential trade partner, a status that was removed after the export restrictions were imposed. The countries’ bilateral relations have gradually been improving since late last year.

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