08-07-2025
Japan's rare-earth imports from China plunge to 5-year low
A laborer works at a rare-earths mine in eastern China's Nancheng county. Exports of the resources to Japan have fallen from the peak in 2022. © Reuters
YUKA FURUBAYASHI
TOKYO -- Japanese imports of Chinese rare earths, essential for making a slew of advanced products, have fallen to the lowest in more than five years, Nikkei has found, following trade restrictions Beijing imposed on the resources in response to U.S. tariffs.
Japan imported 582.4 million yen ($3.96 million) worth of Chinese rare-earth materials in May, Finance Ministry data shows, down 72.4% from a year earlier.
