According to Kyodo News, data from China’s General Administration of Customs shows that from February to April 2026, exports of tungsten carbide and tungsten powder to Japan totaled zero, while exports of related processed products have also come to a standstill. Analysts attribute this to the ongoing effects of stricter export controls on dual-use items to Japan implemented by the Chinese government since January this year, against a backdrop of deteriorating Sino-Japanese relations. Tungsten is a key material for superhard alloys and is widely used in cutting tool tips for automotive parts manufacturing; China accounts for roughly 80% of global tungsten ore production. Although trade tensions with the U.S. prompted China to tighten export regulations last year, exports to Japan continued until January this year.
On May 12, Sumitomo Electric Industries announced it had completely halted tungsten purchases from China, stating that shifting procurement to the U.S. and recycling efforts would largely meet Japan’s demand. Kyodo News notes that China characterized these export restrictions as a retaliatory measure against Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s statements on Taiwan during a Diet session, while assuring that civilian applications would remain unaffected.