US Semiconductor Export Ban Reversal Fuels Japanese Chip Stocks Surge

The semiconductor sector is making headlines again—this time, not for another restriction, but for the possible rollback of a major regulatory policy that had throttled exports to China. According to Bloomberg on May 7, the Trump administration is reportedly planning to revoke the semiconductor export restrictions put in place by the Biden administration. This sudden policy reversal appears to have sparked a bullish rally not only in the U.S. but also in Japan’s chip sector.

One of the most noticeable beneficiaries is Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857). On the morning of May 7, Advantest’s stock price surged by 246 usd (3.87%) to reach 6,596 usd, marking a continued rise for the company. The upward momentum mirrors gains seen in U.S. semiconductor giants like NVIDIA, whose shares rose in anticipation of a friendlier export environment.

The U.S. had previously restricted exports of advanced AI semiconductors to China, citing national security concerns. These rules were scheduled to take effect on May 15, but the implementation has now reportedly been put on hold. Investors appear to interpret this as a green light for renewed trade and technological flow between U.S. chipmakers and Chinese firms, which heavily rely on advanced semiconductors for AI development and other high-performance computing tasks.

As U.S. markets reacted positively, Japanese investors followed suit, triggering a ripple effect through the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Companies linked to the semiconductor supply chain—especially those involved in testing and manufacturing equipment like Advantest—gained traction quickly. Analysts suggest this could indicate the beginning of a broader rally if policy clarity continues to favor open trade.

This surge

What Undercode Say:

The rumored rollback of AI chip export restrictions marks a dramatic shift in U.S. semiconductor policy and signals possible re-engagement with Chinese tech markets. While the Biden administration had taken a hardline stance on tech containment, the Trump camp appears to be favoring freer markets, perhaps to regain geopolitical leverage through trade.

This move brings up several critical points:

Global Supply Chain Symbiosis: Japan’s reliance on U.S. export rules shows how synchronized the tech markets are. Advantest’s 3.87% jump isn’t isolated—it’s a sign of Japan reacting directly to the U.S. pulse. The semiconductor industry doesn’t operate in silos; it’s a unified, highly responsive global system.

Investor Sentiment as Policy Barometer: Market movement, especially among chipmakers, reflects more than just speculative trading. Investors are aligning with expectations that a rollback could lead to greater demand from Chinese clients, revitalizing order books across Asia.

U.S.-China Tech Cold War Eases (Temporarily): If the rollback is confirmed, this could be a thaw in the long-standing U.S.-China tech war. While not a full ceasefire, it might allow more cross-border collaboration in AI and high-performance computing, benefitting hardware-centric firms globally.

Ripple Effect in Asia-Pacific: Tokyo’s market isn’t reacting in a vacuum. We’re likely to see similar behavior in South Korea and Taiwan, whose economies are also deeply entrenched in the chip supply chain. Watch for TSMC, Samsung, and Tokyo Electron in upcoming trading sessions.

Long-Term Uncertainty Still Looms: While this rollback may boost sentiment in the short term, questions remain. Will the U.S. administration maintain this stance under international pressure? Could Congress push back? Geopolitical instability is still a wild card for chip equities.

Advantest’s Strategic Role: Unlike pure chip manufacturers, Advantest plays a unique role by providing critical testing equipment. That positions it as a major indirect beneficiary of increased chip production—even if actual chip sales go to other companies.

AI’s Global Demand Unrelenting: China’s AI market continues to grow at breakneck speed. Restrictions have slowed but not stopped demand. If trade resumes, even partially, suppliers across the globe will benefit—especially those prepared with scalable infrastructure and strategic supply agreements.

could be the spark that ignites a mini-bull cycle in semiconductors—if geopolitical winds don’t shift again. Eyes will remain fixed on both Washington and Beijing for the next steps.

Fact Checker Results

Bloomberg did report on May 7 that the Trump team is planning to roll back the Biden-era semiconductor export restrictions.
The export rules, targeting AI chips, were initially scheduled to take effect on May 15.
U.S. and Japanese semiconductor stocks saw a notable rise immediately after the report, confirming market responsiveness.

Prediction

If the rollback is confirmed and implemented, expect a short-term rally across global semiconductor equities, especially those connected to AI chip supply chains. However, medium-term volatility remains likely as regulatory tug-of-war continues. Japan’s Advantest, Tokyo Electron, and related firms stand to gain, but only if the geopolitical environment remains stable enough for sustained trade flow.