Omar El Sayed - World Editor

Tokyo – Yahoo! JAPAN announced on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, that its services were no longer accessible to users located within the European Economic Area (EEA) and the United Kingdom. The company cited difficulties in maintaining a compliant service environment in these regions as the reason for the change. This decision impacts a range of Yahoo! JAPAN offerings, though some services remain available, and access from Japan is unaffected.

The move comes as data privacy regulations and international compliance standards become increasingly complex. The EEA, comprised of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and the EU member states, operates under a unified set of rules governing the processing of personal data. The UK, following its departure from the European Union, has also established its own distinct data protection framework. Maintaining operations that adhere to both sets of regulations simultaneously proved challenging for Yahoo! JAPAN, according to the company’s announcement. The core issue appears to be related to the evolving legal landscape surrounding cross-border data transfers and user privacy.

Impact on Users and Available Services

The primary impact of this change is the inaccessibility of most Yahoo! JAPAN services for users physically located within the EEA and the UK. This includes popular platforms like Yahoo! JAPAN News, Yahoo! JAPAN Shopping, and Yahoo! JAPAN Auctions. However, Yahoo! JAPAN clarified that certain services would remain operational in the region. Specifically, some functions of Yahoo! JAPAN Mail will continue to be available, though with restrictions. Details regarding these limitations are available on the Yahoo! JAPAN website, though the information is currently presented solely in Japanese. Click here for details (Japanese only).

Users attempting to access Yahoo! JAPAN services from within the EEA or the UK after April 6, 2022, are redirected to a notice explaining the change. The company’s statement emphasizes that access remains open for users connecting from Japan. This suggests the decision is not a complete withdrawal of services, but rather a geographical restriction based on compliance considerations. The company has apologized for any inconvenience caused by this change.

Understanding the European Economic Area

The European Economic Area (EEA) extends the European Union’s single market to non-EU countries. Currently, the EEA includes the 27 EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. The EEA agreement allows these countries to participate in the EU’s single market without being full members of the European Union. This means they must adopt EU laws related to the single market, including those concerning data protection and digital services.

Geopolitical Context and Data Sovereignty

This decision by Yahoo! JAPAN reflects a broader trend of companies reassessing their international operations in light of evolving data privacy regulations. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into effect in May 2018, has significantly raised the bar for data protection standards globally. The GDPR imposes strict rules on how companies collect, process, and store personal data of individuals within the EU. Similar regulations are now in place in the UK, following Brexit.

The concept of “data sovereignty” – the idea that data should be subject to the laws and governance structures of the nation in which We see collected – is gaining prominence. This trend is driven by concerns about national security, privacy, and economic competitiveness. Companies operating internationally must navigate these complex legal and political landscapes to ensure compliance and maintain access to key markets. The withdrawal of Yahoo! JAPAN services from the EEA and UK highlights the practical challenges of doing so.

The move by Yahoo! JAPAN doesn’t necessarily indicate a broader trend of Japanese companies withdrawing from European markets, but it does underscore the increasing importance of data localization and compliance with regional regulations. Other Japanese tech firms will likely be closely monitoring the situation and assessing their own strategies for operating within the EEA and the UK.

Looking ahead, it remains to be seen whether Yahoo! JAPAN will revisit its decision in the future, potentially after adapting its services to fully comply with European and UK data protection laws. For now, users in these regions will need to seek alternative online services.

What are your thoughts on this change? Share your comments below, and please share this article with others who may be affected.

Shanghai – China’s leading semiconductor manufacturers are reportedly accelerating plans to increase production of advanced chips, a move signaling a continued push for self-sufficiency in a critical technology sector. The initiative comes as the country navigates a complex landscape of regulatory challenges and geopolitical considerations impacting its access to foreign chip technology, according to a report by Nikkei.

The drive to bolster domestic chip production is a key component of China’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, particularly from the United States and its allies. This ambition has gained urgency in recent years, fueled by export controls and restrictions imposed by Washington aimed at limiting China’s technological advancement. The focus on advanced chip output – those at the 7-nanometer level and below – represents a significant leap in capability for Chinese manufacturers, who have historically lagged behind global leaders like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Samsung.

Details remain limited, but the Nikkei report suggests that several major Chinese chipmakers are investing heavily in latest fabrication facilities and upgrading existing ones. This includes efforts to secure advanced manufacturing equipment, a process complicated by U.S. Restrictions on the sale of such technology to China. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s recent visit to Shanghai in January 2026, amid China’s regulatory headwinds, underscores the importance of the Chinese market to global chip companies, as reported by Reuters.

Geopolitical Context and Regional Stakes

China’s pursuit of semiconductor independence is deeply intertwined with broader geopolitical tensions, particularly with the United States. Washington views China’s technological rise as a potential threat to its economic and military dominance, and has implemented a series of measures to slow its progress. These include export controls, investment restrictions, and efforts to encourage allies to adopt similar policies. The stakes are high, as semiconductors are essential for a wide range of industries, including telecommunications, artificial intelligence, and defense. The competition for leadership in chip technology is a defining feature of the 21st-century global landscape.

Shanghai, as China’s main international financial hub, plays a central role in this technological ambition, as noted by Reuters. President Xi Jinping’s visit to Shanghai in April 2025, described as a show of strength amid trade war concerns, highlighted the city’s importance to the nation’s economic and strategic goals. The city’s infrastructure and concentration of talent make it a natural focal point for investment in advanced technologies.

Recent Developments and Challenges

The push for greater chip production isn’t occurring in a vacuum. In July 2025, Shanghai relocated hundreds of thousands of residents due to an approaching tropical storm, demonstrating the logistical challenges and potential disruptions that can impact industrial operations in the region, as reported by Reuters. This event underscores the vulnerability of supply chains to both natural disasters and geopolitical instability.

Despite the significant investment and government support, Chinese chipmakers face considerable hurdles. Access to cutting-edge manufacturing equipment remains a major constraint, and the development of advanced chip designs requires substantial expertise and time. The regulatory environment in China is constantly evolving, creating uncertainty for businesses operating in the sector. The ability to overcome these challenges will be crucial to China’s success in achieving its semiconductor goals.

Living and working in China, as one Reuters correspondent noted in a 2024 report, requires an expectation of the unexpected, as the country and its cities constantly evolve. This sentiment applies particularly to the technology sector, where rapid change and unforeseen obstacles are commonplace.

What to Watch Next

Looking ahead, the key will be to monitor the progress of Chinese chipmakers in overcoming the technological and regulatory barriers they face. The effectiveness of government policies aimed at fostering domestic innovation will also be critical. Further developments in U.S.-China relations, particularly regarding trade and technology, will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of China’s semiconductor industry. The next few months will likely reveal whether China can translate its ambitious plans into tangible results and significantly reduce its reliance on foreign chip suppliers.

What are your thoughts on China’s push for semiconductor independence? Share your comments below, and please share this article with your network.