Japan has voiced its opposition to China’s recent imposition of export restrictions on dichlorosilane (DCS), a critical chemical in semiconductor production. The Japanese government is currently evaluating how these new measures might impact its domestic companies. The restrictions mandate that Chinese importers of DCS from Japan provide cash deposits of up to 99.2%, affecting key Japanese exporters such as Shin-Etsu Chemical and Denal Silane.
These measures, according to China, are temporary and stem from an anti-dumping investigation which concluded that Japanese DCS exports were detrimental to China’s local industry. A conclusive decision will follow the completion of this investigation. Japan has urged China to ensure these restrictions do not unfairly harm its businesses, warning of potential counteractions if necessary.
This development occurs against a backdrop of increasingly strained relations between China and Japan, partly due to Japan’s stance on Taiwan. In addition to these DCS restrictions, China has enacted other trade and export limitations involving Japanese firms, particularly concerning products with potential military applications.
Dichlorosilane plays a crucial role in semiconductor manufacturing, particularly in creating ultra-thin silicon layers on computer chips. Given Japan’s position as a leading global producer of ultrapure DCS, the newly imposed restrictions hold significant implications for the semiconductor supply chain worldwide.