Korea-Japan Conflict Written by 20121 Kyumin Jung, 10128 Hwang Ui Kyu, 10407 Bang Chaeyoung How did the conflict start? On July 1st, 2019, Japan restricted the export of three major chemicals in semiconductors, saying it is complying with the World Trade Organization to export these materials. It is widely believed in South Korea that Japan banned these major components as a result of an October 2018 Korean Supreme Court ruling about a case on compensation for victims who were forced laborers during Japanese Colonization periods. As a result of these beliefs, Koreans, who are angry with Japan's decision, are boycotting goods from Japan. Samsung which is one of the biggest digital company in the world also started boycotting Japanese materials as well. SAMSUNG-Japanese Boycott (NO JAPAN) Since the export restriction from Japan, Samsung has suffered. In the past, Samsung always selected Japanese material as parts for the semiconductors. However, due to the