The industry ministry of Japan has reviewed its tightened controls on exports of one of three high-tech materials which are usually exported to South Korea.
This affects photoresist, a material which is used in making semiconductors. The change only applies to certain companies in the 2 countries.
Every export contract still requires ministry approval, but some exporters are now allowed to ship products for up to three years instead of only for six months.
This is the first operational review of the controls since they started in July.