Tokyo and Seoul on Tuesday held their first policy dialogue in three months to discuss Japan's strengthened controls on exports to South Korea.

In the bureau chief-level dialogue, the South Korean government explained improvements on its export controls, hoping that Japan will ease its restrictions on trade with South Korea.

The dialogue was held through a video conference system as Japan has imposed entry restrictions on arrivals from South Korea and China to prevent a further spread of the new coronavirus.

The system connected Seoul with the South Korean embassy in Tokyo, where Japanese officials had shown up for the conference.

In July last year, Japan strengthened its controls on South Korea-bound exports of semiconductor materials out of concerns that they may be used for military purposes. Japan later removed South Korea from its list of trusted trade partners.

Seoul responded by taking retaliatory measures.

At a press conference Tuesday, Japanese trade minister Hiroshi Kajiyama said the two countries will exchange opinions on whether progress has been made over their respective export control systems and their operations.

Japan's entry restrictions require anybody arriving from South Korea and China to stay in their homes or hotels for 14 days from the day after their arrivals and refrain from using public transportation during the period.

The restrictions have made it difficult for Japanese government officials to make a business trip to Seoul.

JIJI Press