China says dual-use export control on Japan not to affect civilian trade

TOKYO - China said Thursday its tightened export controls on dual-use items to Japan are not expected to impact "normal civilian trade," as concerns grow in Tokyo that Beijing's move could affect rare earth exports used in a wide range of products, from autos to defense equipment.

In Tokyo, the Japanese Foreign Ministry's top bureaucrat, Takehiro Funakoshi, met Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao to lodge a strong protest and demand the withdrawal of the Chinese Commerce Ministry's export controls imposed on Tuesday, a move that has further strained already souring bilateral ties.