South Korea's decision to reopen a World Trade Organization complaint about Japan's tightening of export controls is "not helpful" to the process of resolving the nations' differences, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told his South Korean counterpart on Wednesday.

In a 40-minute phone call with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Motegi reiterated that the move by Seoul was "extremely regrettable," according to Japan's Foreign Ministry.

The two also discussed the lifting of travel restrictions meant to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to a ministry official.