Japan Restricts Export of Some Materials Used in Smartphones to South Korea

Japan will tighten restrictions on exports of high-tech materials used in smartphone displays and chips to South Korea in response to a South Korean ruling on war-time forced labour, the industry ministry said on Monday.

Tighter export controls, effective from July 4, would slow the export process by several months, potentially affecting South Korean tech giants such as Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and LG Electronics.

The measure comes amid growing Japanese frustrations over what it sees as a lack of action by Seoul to address issues related to the top court ruling last October, which ordered Nippon Steel to compensate for forced labour during World War Two.