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July 24, 2026
 

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MINERALS

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara speaks during a news conference on Wednesday at the Prime Minister's Office in Tokyo.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 24, 2026
Two Japanese held in China for allegedly smuggling export-restricted goods
The goods the two are alleged to have smuggled were rare-earth related products, media reports said.
Samples of rare earth luminescent materials displayed at an exhibition on China¡¯s manufacturing achievements at the National Museum in Beijing in March
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / ANALYSIS
Jun 24, 2026
China¡¯s mineral squeeze testing Japan¡¯s military buildup
The restrictions are exposing vulnerabilities in Japan¡¯s defense-industrial supply chains while also providing the clearest test yet of Tokyo¡¯s push to bolster economic security.
China¡¯s designation prohibits these U.S. companies from access to items that can be used for both commercial and military purposes.
BUSINESS
Jun 22, 2026
China targets U.S. rare earths firms in response to Pentagon list
China¡¯s designation prohibits these U.S. companies from access to items that can be used for both commercial and military purposes.
A sample of dysprosium oxide.
BUSINESS
Jun 20, 2026
China¡¯s key minerals exports to Japan stay at low levels in May
Exports of some key types of tungsten, as well as rare-earths dysprosium and terbium, stayed at zero in May, according to Chinese customs data.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a news conference at the Group of Seven summit, in Evian, France, on Wednesday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / FOCUS
Jun 18, 2026
In G7 debut, Takaichi puts economic security at heart of Japanese diplomacy
The prime minister¡¯s clearest imprint came in the area of critical minerals, where bloc leaders agreed to step up cooperation on supply-chain resilience and stockpiling.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends her first Group of Seven summit on Monday in Evian-les-Bains, France.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics
Jun 16, 2026
Takaichi proposes G7 framework for stockpiling critical minerals
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pitched a plan for coordinating critical mineral stockpiles among the group and like-minded nations, amid China¡¯s tight grip on key supply chains.
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.
A coal power plant in rare earth industry hub city Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China, on April 6.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Jun 15, 2026
Coal-rich Mongolia aims to boost China trade ties despite dependence risk
Two-way trade is expected to reach $20 billion this year, President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh told ?Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Samples of rare earth-bearing mud extracted from the seabed around Minamitorishima island in February are examined.
BUSINESS / Economy
May 7, 2026
Japan tackles challenges of seafloor rare earth mining, eyeing economic security
In February, Japan succeeded in a test collection of rare earth-bearing mud from a depth of 6,000 meters below sea level near the remote Japanese island of Minamitorishima.
European Union Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shake hands after signing a memorandum of understanding for a strategic partnership on critical minerals at the State Department in Washington on Friday.
BUSINESS
Apr 25, 2026
U.S. and EU deepen cooperation on critical minerals with eye to broader agreement
The two signed a memorandum of understanding for a partnership on producing and securing critical minerals, with a specific ?action plan ?for trade announced separately.
Blocks with symbols and atomic numbers of rare earth elements
BUSINESS
Apr 11, 2026
EU and U.S. near critical minerals deal to combat Chinese control
The potential deal would create incentives, such as minimum prices, that could advantage non-Chinese suppliers, according to a draft of an ¡°action plan.¡±
Instead of leveraging their combined economic weight, African countries are pursuing fragmented bilateral agreements that leave them as junior partners and vulnerable to countries like China and the U.S.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 16, 2026
The new ¡®scramble for Africa¡¯ risks becoming divide and conquer
The disunity persists despite Africa¡¯s enormous advantages, including a rapidly growing consumer market and dominant control of critical minerals essential to the global economy.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi responds to questions during a budget committee session of the House of Representatives at Parliament in Tokyo on Monday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Mar 14, 2026
Japan and U.S. to confirm cooperation on key minerals
The Japanese and U.S. governments are working to issue a joint document on the matter, informed sources said.
The U.S., Japan and the EU are preparing to announce plans to lay the groundwork for a critical minerals trade deal that could include a price floor and tariffs to counter market distortions by China.
BUSINESS
Mar 13, 2026
U.S. critical minerals talks advance with EU and Japan on price floor
Global efforts to diversify critical minerals supply chains intensified after Beijing last year imposed sweeping export controls, including on rare earths.
Japan's drilling-equipped research vessel, Chikyu, departs from Shimizu port, Shizuoka Prefecture, on Jan. 12 to conduct a test recovery of rare earth-rich mud near Minamitori Island.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Politics / EXPLAINER
Feb 27, 2026
What is Japan¡¯s potential for domestic rare earth mining?
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi¡¯s government aims to eventually mine and industrialize rare earths at home, but the timing, investment costs and viability of the project are unknown.
The Chikyu, the deep sea drilling vessel operated by the Japan Agency for Marine Earth-Science and Technology, has been on a mission to pull metal-bearing mud from the seabed.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / FOCUS
Feb 12, 2026
Japan steps up deep-sea mining plan to cut rare-earth dependence
An ambitious initiative to accelerate a decade-old plan has been given extra impetus by the country¡¯s drive to cut reliance on Chinese supply.
The Tanbreez rare earth minerals site near Narsarsuaq, Greenland. The United States has unveiled a critical-minerals partnership with Japan and the European Union.
BUSINESS / Economy
Feb 5, 2026
U.S., EU and Japan unveil critical-minerals partnership
Critical minerals include rare earth metals, which are key to the production of goods like smartphones, fighter jets and electric cars.
Industry minister Ryosei Akazawa speaks to reporters during the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday.
BUSINESS / Economy
Jan 22, 2026
Japan and EU affirm cooperation for stable supply of critical minerals
Both sides have agreed to accelerate collaboration on the matter in both public and private sectors by providing financial support, industry minister Ryosei Akazawa says.
Masaaki Kanai, director-general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau, has lodged a protest with China over its moves to build another structure in the East China Sea.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jan 17, 2026
Japan criticizes China over new structure being built in East China Sea
The new structure on the Chinese side of the median line between the two countries in the waterway comes as the area¡¯s continental shelf has not yet been delimited.
A rare earths processing plant in Dingnan County, Ganzhou, in eastern China's Jiangxi province on Nov. 20. The U.S. is looking to cut its dependence on China.
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 2, 2025
U.S. moves to deepen minerals supply chain in AI race with China
The initiative, which builds on efforts dating back to the first administration of President Donald Trump, unfolds as the U.S. looks to cut its dependence on China.
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.

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