EXCLUSIVE: Japan Govt Eyes Office for Stable Rare Earth Procurement

Tokyo, Aug. 14 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Environment Ministry plans to set up an office in fiscal 2027 to help the country ensure stable procurement of critical minerals such as rare earths and rare metals, Jiji Press has learned. Japan, which heavily depends on imports for such minerals, aims to establish a mechanism to extract them from discarded products for reuse as materials, in order to beef up the country’s economic security. The new office, seen comprising seven members, will be set up at the ministry’s Resource Circulation Division, sources familiar with the matter said. Rare earths and rare metals contained in used consumer electronics and smartphones are called urban mines. At a time when global competition for resources is intensifying, such as China toughening its export controls on rare earths, the ministry aims to accelerate domestic procurement of key minerals and other materials by increasing collection from urban mines, the sources said. For the collected metals to be turned into new products, their quantity and quality need to meet the standards required by manufacturers. The planned new office will identify challenges that need to be resolved to help forge collaboration between recycling businesses that process extracted metals and product manufacturers, and consider expanding its support measures, according to the sources. The ministry also plans to assist Japanese companies’ expansion into Southeast Asian nations, where urban mines are increasing on the back of their economic development. By providing technological assistance, the ministry aims to establish a system in which devices are properly collected and dismantled in the countries, and recycled in Japan, the sources said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]