51³Ô¹ÏÍø

author

 
Menu
Search
 
July 24, 2026
 

Home Delivery
Subscribe for more access

Meta

Ernest Scheyder
U.S. Vice President JD Vance speaks during the Critical Minerals Ministerial at the State Department in Washington on Feb. 4.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jun 15, 2026
Trump¡¯s mineral pricing plan faces skeptical G7 and divided industry
Negotiations for a Western trading bloc are stumbling over concerns about the plan¡¯s cost and governance.
Workers transport soil containing rare earth elements for export at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China in 2010.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jun 4, 2025
Global alarms rise as China¡¯s critical mineral export curbs take hold
China has a stranglehold on minerals crucial for sectors ranging from aerospace to semiconductors.
A rare earth open-pit mine in Mountain Pass, California. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that taps the Cold War-era Defense Production Act as part of an effort to domestically process a range of critical minerals.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 21, 2025
U.S. moves to curb China¡¯s grip on critical minerals
Trump invokes emergency powers for more U.S. mining, citing economic and security concerns.
Lithium evaporation ponds in Silver Peak, Nevada. Global lithium demand is expected to outpace supply by 500,000 metric tons annually by 2030.
BUSINESS
Mar 26, 2024
America¡¯s lithium laws fail to keep pace with rapid development
Washington¡¯s drive to make the U.S. a major global lithium producer is being held back by a confusing mix of state regulations.
The MP Materials rare earth open-pit mine in Mountain Pass, California, in January 2020. Western startups are focusing their attention on the process of refining rare earths ¡ª some of them pivoting from mining ¡ª that China has spent the past 30 years mastering.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 5, 2023
Western startups seek to break China¡¯s grip on rare earths refining
The companies are looking for faster, cleaner and cheaper ways to process the minerals that are critical for billions of electronic devices.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo walks with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 16, 2022.
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2023
U.S. and Indonesia to discuss potential EV mineral deal: sources
Indonesia, which has the world¡¯s biggest nickel ore reserves, in September asked the U.S. to begin discussions for a trade deal for critical minerals.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 23, 2023
Lithium producers warn supplies may not meet global EV demand
Staffing shortages, inflation and delays in issuing mine permission may hinder efforts to source enough of the battery metal to meet aggressive electrification timelines.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 17, 2023
Inside the race to remake lithium extraction for EV batteries
The global battle to reshape the lithium industry is sucking in oil producers and tech startups, each jockeying to be the first to reinvent how the key metal is produced.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 15, 2022
U.S. bill would block defense contractors from using Chinese rare earths
The bipartisan legislation would force defense contractors to stop buying rare earths from China by 2026 and use the Pentagon to create a permanent stockpile of the strategic minerals.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 21, 2021
Arizona mining fight pits economy and EVs against conservation and culture
After U.S. President Joe Biden put a stop to a huge copper mine project, some people are rejoicing while others living nearby are feeling the pinch.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 2, 2021
To go electric, America needs more mines. Can it build them?
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has made big promises to environmentalists as well as labor groups and others who stand to benefit by boosting mining.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health / FOCUS
Aug 22, 2014
Refracking brings ¡®vintage¡¯ oil and gas wells back to life
A fracking boom isn¡¯t enough for U.S. oil and gas producers ¡ª they¡¯re now starting the re-fracking boom.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS note

SUPPLEMENTS BINDER