Japan hit back at South Korea on Tuesday for removing Tokyo's fast-track trade status, with the industry minister saying Seoul has failed to explain its reason for the move, the latest in an escalating trade row.
South Korea on Monday signaled plans to remove Japan from a list of countries with fast-track trade status in September, citing problems with export control measures.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko said Seoul has not shown how Japan has fallen short of international export control measures.