In order to ensure a stable supply of important minerals such as lithium, which are indispensable as a material for batteries in electric vehicles, the IEA = International Energy Agency, which is created in energy-consuming countries such as Japan, is considering the establishment of a new department to promote cooperation in related countries. The Japan side plans to express its support at the IEA meeting to be held in Paris, France, on the 28th of this month.
While demand for important minerals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt is expected to increase for applications such as batteries for electric vehicles, competition for them is intensifying due to the limited number of resource-rich countries.
As a result, it was found that the IEA, which is formed in energy-consuming countries such as Japan and Europe and the United States, is considering the establishment of a new department to cooperate with related countries in preparation for the risk of interruption of the supply of important minerals.
The new department is considering strengthening its functions, such as
▽ formulating guidelines on stockpiling in case of emergency,
▽ providing information necessary for stable supply.
The IEA is scheduled to hold its first meeting in Paris, France, on the 28th of this month to discuss the strengthening of supply chains = supply networks for important minerals, and METI Minister Nishimura will attend from the Japan and express his active support for strengthening the functions of the IEA.
At the meeting, he would also like to clarify his intention to promote recycling to recover important minerals from used smartphones and other materials while sharing Japan technologies with emerging countries.
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura: "I would also like to appeal the need to strengthen the functions of the IEA"
Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura stated at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting on the 26th, "There is a growing momentum to build a supply chain that does not depend on a specific country for important minerals that are indispensable for storage batteries, etc., and I would also like to appeal the need to strengthen the functions of the IEA = International Energy Agency."