Japan's curbs on exports of high-tech materials to South Korea could backfire in the long run, eroding its dominance over a key link in the global chip supply chain, suppliers and experts have said.

Japan tightened restrictions last month on exports of three chipmaking materials to South Korea, home to memory chip titans Samsung and SK Hynix. The move threatens to disrupt the global tech supply chain, as Japan provides about 70 percent or more of the restricted products to the world.

While the situation highlights Japan Inc.'s firm place in the industry, even after its once mighty giants like Sony lost out to nimble Chinese and Korean rivals, it has fueled concerns that Japan's grip on the niche market for fluorinated polyimides, photoresists and hydrogen fluoride could now loosen.