Japan’s Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko said Tuesday that this is a domestic decision aimed at implementing  appropriate export controls, adding it's not meant to impact relations between Japan and South Korea.

Japan will remove South Korea from a "white list" of 27 countries that enjoy minimum trade restrictions on sensitive goods including electronic components. Unlisted countries must receive case-by-case approval from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry before such goods can be exported. The measure is set to take effect Tuesday midnight having already been approved by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.