Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Expresses "Deep Regret over WTO Panel Establishment... Difficult to Hold Policy Dialogue"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Hiroshi Kajiyama, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, expressed "deep regret" over the establishment of a WTO panel to determine whether Japan's strengthened export controls violate WTO agreements.

According to NHK on the 31st, Minister Kajiyama, when asked at a press conference about the Japanese government's response to the WTO panel established at South Korea's request, stated, "The review of the operation of export control measures against South Korea (strengthened export controls) is consistent with WTO agreements."

Minister Kajiyama reiterated Japan's position that export controls against South Korea comply with WTO regulations, arguing that "South Korea's unilateral response could violate the agreements reached so far, which aimed to resolve issues through mutual interaction and communication between Japan and South Korea."

Minister Kajiyama also expressed skepticism about holding further policy dialogues, saying, "I think it is difficult to hold policy dialogues under these circumstances," referring to the two director-general level export control policy dialogues held since December last year to discuss export control issues. Regarding the establishment of the WTO panel, he added, "We intend to respond calmly according to WTO agreement procedures."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.