Japan has formally protested China’s recent restrictions on exports of dichlorosilane (DCS), a chemical crucial for semiconductor manufacturing. The measures, which took effect on Tuesday, require importers of DCS from Japan to pay cash deposits to Chinese customs at rates reaching 99.2 percent. This action comes amid an ongoing investigation by Chinese authorities into alleged anti-dumping violations tied to Japanese exports of the compound.

The curbs target companies including Shin-Etsu Chemical and Denal Silane, major Japanese suppliers of DCS used in the production of computer chips. China’s Ministry of Commerce described the controls as provisional while the review continues, with a final decision expected later. Beijing asserts that these steps are necessary to protect its domestic industry from unfair trade practices.

Tokyo has expressed strong opposition to the restrictions. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that the Japanese government is assessing the impact of China’s measures on its companies and pledged to respond appropriately to prevent unjust harm. Officials view the move as part of a broader pattern of economic and trade pressures from Beijing, particularly following heightened political tensions between the two countries.

Relations between Japan and China have been strained since November, after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Japan’s military might intervene should China use force against Taiwan. Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory and strongly objected to Takaichi’s remarks. In addition to the anti-dumping probe on DCS, China has recently imposed export restrictions targeting Japanese firms involved in dual-use items that have potential military applications.

The dispute underscores ongoing geopolitical frictions in East Asia that increasingly affect trade and technology exchange between the world’s second- and third-largest economies. Both sides continue to monitor developments closely amid concerns over broader economic and security implications tied to semiconductor supply chains.