Japan's Seko says export curbs for S.Korea not in violation of WTO rules

Industry Minister Hiroshige Seko said on Tuesday that Japan's decision to tighten controls on exports of high-tech materials to South Korea was not in violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

Seko, speaking to reporters after a regular cabinet meeting, said the export curbs were a consequence of South Korea failing to present satisfactory measures to resolve the issue of South Koreans forced to work for Japanese firms during World War Two. South Korea has denounced the measure as a violation of WTO rules, saying it would take the necessary countermeasures including filing a complaint with the organisation.