The Japanese government said Monday it has launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports from South Korea of a chemical compound used in the production of glass for liquid crystal panels.

The finance and trade ministries said they will decide whether to impose anti-dumping tariffs on the imports of potassium carbonate following the probe, which is expected to be completed within one year.

The move followed an April 30 request from a Japanese industry group that duties be imposed.

The group has argued that low-priced South Korean imports of the chemical substance have harmed domestic producers who were forced to lower their sale prices or prevented from increasing them, according to the ministries.

Imports from South Korea grew to 5,293 tons in 2019 from 4,918 tons in 2017, the ministries quoted the group as saying.
Potassium carbonate is also used for making alkaline preparations, which are added to ramen noodles.