Japan has approved the export to
South Korea of some key products for the first time since introducing stricter trading rules amid an ongoing row between the two US allies.
Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko said Thursday that Tokyo had given the green light to export to South Korea chemicals used in chipmaking and
smartphone manufacturing.
"We don't usually announce individual cases of export permits but I'm making this public exceptionally because South Korea's government has made the unfair criticism that our move is something like an export embargo," he told reporters.