Japan-made semiconductors skirt sanctions to enter Russia

Domestically made chips avoid export controls via China and other countries

There were at least 89 sales of semiconductors to Russia that involved Japanese manufacturers from Feb. 24, 2022 to March 31, 2023, according to Nikkei analysis. © Reuters

SHOHEI NOMOTO and JUNYA HISANAGA, Nikkei staff writers

June 19, 2023 08:03 JST

TOKYO -- Semiconductors made by Japanese manufacturers are still entering Russia, even after its invasion of Ukraine, according to an investigation by Nikkei. The majority of transactions go through third countries, such as China, meaning Japanese laws that regulate direct exports cannot stop the flow of chips. Additional measures are needed to stop the indirect flow of goods and make sanctions more effective.