The government on Friday agreed to hold bilateral talks with South Korea after Seoul filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over Tokyo's tightened export controls of three items, including semiconductor materials, to the country.
Tokyo conveyed the decision to Seoul through diplomatic channels on the same day.
Having bilateral talks is set as a precondition of dispute settlement procedures.
"Japan's position that reviewing export controls is consistent with WTO rules remains unchanged," Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Isshu Sugawara said at a press conference after a Cabinet meeting.
South Korea filed a complaint with the WTO on Sept. 11 and requested a bilateral meeting with Japan. Under the WTO dispute settlement procedures, bilateral talks are to be held within 30 days of a request in principle.
If the dispute is not resolved in 60 days, South Korea will request the WTO to set up a dispute settlement panel.
With distinct differences in opinions between Japan and South Korea, it is unlikely that the dispute will be resolved through dialogue.
In principle, the WTO panel will draw up a report, which is equivalent to a ruling, within six months, and determine whether a country in question has violated WTO rules. Countries that are found to have violated the rules are obliged to rectify the situation.
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