Japan not thinking of scrapping S.Korea export curbs - Seko

Industry minister Hiroshige Seko said on Tuesday that Japan was "not thinking at all" of withdrawing restrictions on Japanese high-tech exports to South Korea and that the curbs did not violate World Trade Organization rules.

Whether Japan implements additional restrictions depends on South Korea's response to the matter, Seko told a regular news conference after a cabinet meeting.

Japan announced curbs last week on high-tech exports of materials used in smartphone displays and chips to South Korea amid a growing dispute over South Koreans forced to work for Japanese firms during World War Two.