每日英語跟讀 Ep.K554: Japan to Restrict Some Computer Chip-Making Exports as US-China Tech War Rages On
Japan's government has announced plans to restrict exports of 23 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, joining the US and the Netherlands in taking action against China in the ongoing tech war. The measures will apply to major technology companies such as Tokyo Electron and Nikon and will range from tools used to clean silicon wafers to immersion lithography machines. The policy is set to be implemented in July after being subject to public comment. The move comes after the US and the Netherlands adopted similar restrictions on microchip exports.
隨著美中科技戰爭的持續進行，日本政府宣布計畫限制出口23種半導體製造設備，加入美國和荷蘭對中國的行動。措施將適用於東京電子和Nikon等主要科技公司，並包括用於清潔矽晶片的工具，以及沉浸式光刻機。政策將在經過公眾意見徵詢後於七月實施。此舉是在美國和荷蘭採取類似限制微晶片出口後所做出的決定。
The global microchip supply chain has become a battleground in the US-China tech war, with semiconductors powering everything from mobile phones to military hardware. Washington has imposed export controls on microchips to China, and China has responded by labelling the US a "tech hegemony." However, Japan's trade and industry ministry did not mention China or the US in its announcement, instead stating that the measures would contribute to international peace and stability.
全球微晶片供應鏈已成為美中科技戰爭的戰場，半導體驅動著從手機到軍用硬體的所有事物。華盛頓對向中國出口微晶片實施出口管制，中國則回應稱美國為“技術霸權”。然而，日本貿易和工業部在宣布中沒有提到中國或美國，而是聲稱這些措施將有助於國際和平與穩定。
According to Japanese trade minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, the restrictions were not coordinated with the US. He added that if Japanese exports were not being reappropriated for military use, they would continue exporting and the impact on companies would be limited. The announcement was made as Japan's foreign minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, prepared to visit Beijing to meet his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang for "an honest and frank discussion to create a constructive and stable relationship."
根據日本貿易大臣西村康稔的說法，限制措施並非與美國協調一致。他補充說，如果日本的出口未被重新配置為軍事用途，將會繼續出口，對公司的影響將會有限。此項公告發布時，日本外務大臣林芳正準備訪問北京，會晤他的中國對應人秦剛，進行“坦誠和實質性的討論，以建立建設性和穩定的關係。”
The Japanese restrictions will affect exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, including lithography machines, which use lasers to print tiny patterns on silicon as part of the manufacturing process of microchips. The move is expected to have a significant impact on the global microchip supply chain as Japan is a key producer of semiconductor equipment, alongside the US and the Netherlands.
日本的限制將影響半導體製造設備的出口，包括光刻機，一種使用雷射在矽晶片上印刷微小圖案的機器，是半導體製程的一部分。此舉預計對全球晶片供應鏈產生重大影響，因為日本是半導體設備的主要生產國之一，與美國和荷蘭並列。
As the US-China tech war rages on, countries around the world are grappling with the question of how to balance national security concerns with the need to maintain a global supply chain for microchips, which are a crucial component in the production of many everyday items. With Japan's announcement, it seems that the trend of restricting microchip exports is set to continue, further complicating the already complex relationship between China and the rest of the world.
隨著美中科技戰爭的持續，世界各國正試圖平衡國家安全和維持微晶片全球供應鏈的需求，微晶片是許多日常物品生產的重要組件。隨著日本的宣布，似乎限制微晶片出口的趨勢將繼續，進一步複雜化中國和世界其他國家之間已經複雜的關係。Reference article: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65134017