Japanese Companies Affected by Export Curbs
The Mainichi Shimbun reported on Aug. 9 that the Japanese government permitted the export of photoresists to South Korea in about one month after its export restrictions targeting South Korea and the permission implies that the government admitted its miscalculation about the possible repercussions of the restrictions.
“These days, South Korea is increasingly criticizing the Japanese government with more and more Japanese products being boycotted in South Korea along with bilateral exchanges between sports teams and local governments,” the newspaper reported, adding, “The anti-Japanese sentiments are likely to keep mounting this month and both governments are expected to initiate diplomatic negotiations late this month.” Earlier, Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that the South Korean, Chinese and Japanese diplomatic ministers are likely to meet in China on Aug. 21.
The Mainichi Shimbun also said that some Japanese companies are being affected by the semiconductor material export restrictions and the companies include Tokyo Ohka Kogyo, a photoresist manufacturer, although many are trying to remain calm. “We filed our export request because the export restrictions are no embargo,” said Gunio Mizuki, managing director at the company, adding, “The restrictions are likely to have little impact on our performance for this year.”