To build a stable supply network for rare earths The government supports a trading company's demonstration test November 5, 12:00
The government has decided to support a demonstration test of refining conducted by a major Japanese trading company in India for rare earths, which are rare resources indispensable for the production of automobiles and home appliances.
It suggests that China may restrict exports to the United States due to trade friction between the United States and China, and Japan aims to quickly build a stable supply network in the Indo-Pacific region from the perspective of economic security. There is.
Rare earths are a rare resource that is indispensable for the production of electric vehicle motors and precision parts for home appliances, and demand is expected to grow due to the spread of electric vehicles.
Japan imports about 60% of the total from China, and relies on China for all processing such as refining, including those imported from other countries.
For this reason, according to the people concerned, a major domestic trading company has decided to subsidize and support a demonstration test to refine rare earths procured from Australia and other countries in India.
Demonstration tests will be conducted over the next five years to verify technical issues and economic efficiency.
Regarding rare earths, as trade friction between the United States and China intensifies, there is concern that China will be used as a countermeasure for economic security, suggesting that exports to the United States may be restricted, and the Japanese government is concerned. The aim is to build a stable supply network of rare earths in the Indo-Pacific region at an early stage.