TOKYONEW YORK, July 24 Reuters Japan39;s imposition of export controls on chip making tools to align with a U.S. policy restricting China39;s ability to produce advanced semiconductors is worrying some officials in Tokyo who believe a combative U.S. approach may hamper coordination and needlessly provoke Beijing.

From this week, Japan is restricting 23 types of equipment, ranging from machines that deposit films on silicon wafers to devices that etch out the microscopic circuits of chips that could have military uses.

But, while the U.S. referenced China 20 times in its October announcement targeting Chinese companies, Japan has chosen broad equipment controls not specifically aimed at its bigger neighbour.

We feel an odd discomfort with how the U.S. is doing this. There39;s no need to identify the country, all you need to do is control the item, a Japanese industry ministry official told Reuters. Japan can39;t sanction countries unless they are involved in a conflict, the source added.

Japan39;s trade and industry minister told reporters when announcing Japan39;s measure in March that China was only one of 160 countries and regions that would be subject to controls and that Japan39;s rules were not meant to follow the U.S.

Even so, China has warned Japan to backdown.

Tokyo and Washington share concerns about China39;s push for advanced technologies and in May agreed with other Group of Seven industrial democracies on derisking from potential Chinese economic…