International Trade 2024

Introduction

Recent events, including the trade conflict between the USA and China, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have heightened global interest in international trade and national/economic security.

The following key developments have been implemented in Japan, as further explained in detail below:

• enactment of the Economic Security Promotion Act;
• strengthening of foreign direct investment regulations in order to secure stable supply chains;
• tightening of export regulations on advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment; and
• publication of reference material on practical approaches for business enterprises to respect human rights in responsible supply chains.