Japan has listed semiconductor equipment as the core industry of security review.

[Japan includes semiconductor equipment in the core industry of security review] April 25-on April 24, the Japanese government added a key target (core industry) for foreigners to buy shares of domestic companies that are vital to security. New industries related to nine kinds of materials have been added, such as semiconductor manufacturing equipment manufacturing, storage battery manufacturing, fertilizer import and other industries. The relevant notices of the Foreign Exchange Law will be amended and will be implemented from May 24. In addition, it also focuses on machine tool and industrial robot manufacturing, metal mineral smelting, permanent magnet manufacturing, material manufacturing, metal 3D printer manufacturing, natural gas wholesale and ship parts related manufacturing. Since March, the public has been consulted on the proposed changes to the notice. When foreign investors buy shares in companies vital to Japanese security, the shareholding ratio will be revised from more than 10 per cent to more than 1 per cent according to the criteria that need to be declared in advance. Prior declaration is also required when directors take office, business transfer and annulment. (Nikkei Chinese)