Japan partially reverses curbs on tech materials exports to South Korea

TOKYO/SEOUL: The Japanese government has reversed curbs on exports of photoresists to South Korea, one of three technology materials which it had restricted since July, a Trade Ministry official said on Friday.

The step comes as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and South Korean President Moon Jae-in are expected to meet on Tuesday on the sidelines of a trilateral summit that includes China.

Japanese suppliers can now apply to export three years worth of photoresists rather than having to seek approval for each shipment separately, the official said.

South Korea gave a guarded welcome to the move by Japan.

“The latest measure was voluntarily taken by the Japanese government and is seen as partial progress, but we believe that this falls short of a fundamental resolution to exports curb issues,” an official at the president’s office said.