Japan lifts export curbs on high-tech materials to South Korea

Japan on Thursday lifted export curbs on high-tech materials to South Korea, the Japanese trade ministry said, as the two U.S. allies mend ties in the face of North Korea's frequent missile launches and China's more muscular role on the global stage.

Tokyo announced its decision to lift the curbs on three materials including hydrogen fluoride, used for microchip production, when South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol visited Japan last week, without specifying timing for implementation.