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Japan last month agreed with the Netherlands and the United
States to halt exports of equipment that China could use to
manufacture advanced chips, bringing Tokyo and Amsterdam in line
with sweeping restrictions announced by U.S. President Joe
Biden's administration in October.
"The United States is being strict, but there is a question of
whether we have to exactly match that. What we do share is a
recognition of the concern over the equipment," said Akira
Amari, a former Liberal Democratic Party minister of economy
trade and industry.
The U.S. wants to hobble Beijing's bid to dominate global chip
production and stop it acquiring semiconductors that could
enhance its military power.
Any difference in the separate restrictions that Tokyo,
Washington and the Netherlands implement, could be a political
headache for Biden if it makes U.S. equipment less competitive
than those of its rivals.
SEMI, an industry group representing 2,500 members in the
semiconductor and electronics manufacturing supply chain, this
month also warned that export controls on China would not be
effective unless U.S. allies adopt curbs in line with the United
States.
Amari said he had been briefed by the Japanese government on the
deal, which only the United states has so far publicly
acknowledged.
He declined to give details, but said specifics of the
agreement, including what machinery would be subject to
restrictions, had yet to be hammered out in talks.
"Governments and companies concerned with the issue will have to
dig into it, and find where the line needs to be drawn," said
Amari.
(Reporting by Kiyoshi Takenaka, Tim Kelly and Mayu Sakoda;
Editing by Bernadette Baum)
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