The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has issued a joint statement stating that it will cooperate with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Africa, a major producing country, to expand investment in order to secure stable procurement of rare metals used in electric vehicles and other products. did.
The statement was jointly issued by Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura and Mines Minister Nsamba of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who is visiting Japan.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a resource-rich country that accounts for 70% of the world's production of cobalt, which is used in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. Construction is a challenge.
The joint statement states that the two countries will work together to expand investment by Japanese companies, and plans to strengthen the relationship by holding investment seminars and establishing a framework for exchanging opinions between governments.
At the meeting, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura said, "Democratic Republic of the Congo has abundant resources, and Japan has excellent manufacturing technology. Through investment seminars and public-private missions, it will lead to Japan's participation in resource projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I want to continue."