TOKYO, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Shares in Japanese chemical manufacturers fell on Thursday after China's commerce ministry said it is launching an anti-dumping probe into imports of chemicals used in chipmaking.
Shin-Etsu Chemical shares dropped 4% in early Tokyo trading, with Mitsubishi Chemical down 1%. That compared with flat trading in the benchmark index.
The probe into imports from Japan of dichlorosilane comes amid strained ties between the two countries with China also this week announcing a ban on exports of dual-used items to Japan.
Relations between the countries have deteriorated since Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could be deemed an existential threat to Japan, a remark that Beijing said was "provocative."
(Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
