Japan gov't strongly protests China's export ban, demands withdrawal

TOKYO - Japan lodged a strong protest with China for adding 20 Japanese defense-related entities to its export ban list for dual-use items, and demanded its withdrawal, a senior government spokesman said Tuesday.

The move announced earlier in the day is "absolutely intolerable and extremely regrettable," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Kei Sato told a press conference, adding that the Japanese government will assess the possible impact and consider necessary responses.