Tokyo, July 12 (Jiji Press) — Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Friday expressed displeasure at South Korea’s discussions with the United States about Japan’s tightened controls on semiconductor materials exports to South Korea.

The Japanese action is designed to “carry out export controls appropriately,” the top government spokesman told a press conference. “It does not deserve criticism at all.”

Suga made the remarks after the South Korean Foreign Ministry’s announcement on Thursday that the country’s foreign minister, Kang Kyung-wha, conveyed concern over the Japanese move to U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in phone talks the preceding day.

Kang told Pompeo that the Japanese measure will not only damage South Korean companies but also have adverse effects on U.S. businesses and the global trade order.