China's commerce ministry announced Monday that it has added 20 Japanese organisations and companies — including the National Institute for Defense Studies and Mitsubishi Electric Defense and Space Technologies Corporation — to its export control blacklist, banning the transfer of dual-use goods (items with both civilian and military applications) from China to those entities. Beijing cited their alleged role in enhancing Japan's military capabilities, framing the move as necessary to protect national security and meet non-proliferation obligations. The decision escalates a months-long dispute rooted in tensions over Japan's expanding defence posture and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's suggestion that Tokyo might respond militarily to any attack on Taiwan.