Japan and South Korea are expected to clash over Tokyo's restrictions on exports of high-tech materials at the World Trade Organization's General Council next week as historical grievances and the threat of further trade curbs loom heavy over bilateral ties. The two sides are seen sticking to their official lines at the two-day session starting Tuesday and will likely not make much progress toward bridging the gap. Japan holds that it tightened controls on exports of the three semiconductor-manufacturing materials to South Korea for national security reasons and so has not violated WTO rules. Seoul sees Tokyo as ... (full story)