Japan’s Ministry of Finance trade statistics show that half of Japan’s semiconductor manufacturing equipment exports were heading to China in the first quarter, according to the Japanese media outlet Nikkei Asia. In the first quarter, Japan’s total exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, components, and flat panel display manufacturing equipment to China were valued at $3.32 billion, a 82% year-on-year increase, and a new record post-2007. Notably, the share of Japanese semiconductor manufacturing equipment exported to China has exceeded 50% for three consecutive quarters, the report added. Last July, Japan announced export controls on 23 semiconductor-related items used for chip making to align with US restrictions on China’s ability to produce advanced semiconductors. [Icsmart, in Chinese]