TOKYO, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- China has slowed down trade with Japan by erecting customs obstacles, Japanese government sources said.
The move may be a reprisal for Japan's handling of the recent collision between a Chinese fishing boat and Japan Coast Guard vessels, officials told The Yomiuri Shimbun.
Some customs houses in China have stiffened inspections of Japan-bound exports of rare earths, which are vital for making many high-tech products, and ordinary goods exported to and imported from Japan, government sources said Saturday.
Fearing the delays will hurt Japanese companies, the government has been urgently investigating the matter, the newspaper said.
Well-informed sources told Yomiuri Shanghai customs authorities informed major Japanese transport firms Tuesday of a decision to immediately boost the portion of imports and exports subject to sample inspections from 30 to 100 percent.
Shanghai's quarantine authorities have also raised quarantine inspections of commodities from 10 to 50 percent, they said.
Because of the subsequent delays, many air cargoes bound for Japan, including electronics parts, remain in Shanghai, according to the sources.
Similar measures have been taken in Fujian, Guandong and Liaoning Provinces, the sources said.
