BEIJING – China’s export ban on dual-use items to Japan will only affect military firms, the commerce ministry said on Jan 8, helping calm

vital to Japan’s automotive industry over Tokyo’s remarks on Taiwan.

Dual-use items are goods, software or technologies that have both civilian and military applications. They include certain rare earth magnets that power motors in car parts such as side mirrors, speakers and oil pumps. They play an even bigger role in EVs.