Japan no longer considers South Korea as a trusted trading partner.
The Japanese cabinet announced on Friday that it is striking its neighbours from a “white list” of countries that have fast-track export status.
Seoul has responded strongly to the decision, with a government spokesperson saying: "Our government will sternly respond to Japan's unfair decision."
The latest development has further soured relations between the two countries.
Japan and South Korea are already at odds over compensation for wartime forced laborers.
New Lebanon-Israel talks begin in shadow of US-Iran deal
EU hosts Taliban officials in Brussels for first time
US waives Iran sanctions, Trump warns Tehran it must abide by agreement
Forty drown in France as people seek relief from heatwave
Israeli gunfire kills two people in south Lebanon, civil defence says
