Japan has approved shipments of a high-tech material to South Korea for the second time since imposing export curbs last month, two sources said, ahead of talks by government officials to resolve a dispute stemming from their wartime past.
Relations between the two US allies worsened late last year when a South Korean court ordered Japanese companies to compensate South Koreans who were conscripted as forced labourers during World War II.
Early last month, Japan tightened controls on shipments to South Korea of three materials used in chips and displays, threatening to disrupt the global tech supply chain. Japan also announced a plan to remove South Korea’s fast-track export status from later this month.