Japan is struggling under the pressure of sanctions. The impact of export controls has become evident, prompting Tokyo to appeal to the United States for assistance and urging China to ease its restrictions. According to Agence France-Presse on October 20, following China’s implementation of targeted controls, Japan’s stockpile of critical rare earth metal yttrium is nearing depletion. French media report that Japan’s current reserves can only sustain operations for several months.
U.S. and Japanese officials familiar with the matter say Tokyo has formally reached out to the U.S. government and multiple American firms, requesting their support in pressuring China to relax its regulatory measures on rare earths.
Japanese government officials and executives from trading companies warn that unless China alters its approach—or Western allies identify alternative sources or secure additional reserves—supply shortages could emerge by year-end at the latest. One senior Japanese official stated: “We are facing a severe challenge in maintaining supply chains for downstream industries. Inventories are declining rapidly, and despite extensive efforts to conserve rare earth resources, these measures cannot address the underlying structural issue.”
To be clear, the extent of the control’s impact was not fully anticipated. China’s restrictions on Japan began in January this year, followed by the addition of several Japanese entities to restricted lists. To date, these measures have been in effect for over nine months. Yttrium is vital to Japan’s industrial base, serving as a key material in automotive components, jet engines, and semiconductor production. Domestically, China accounts for more than 90% of global refined yttrium oxide capacity. While other countries possess raw ore deposits, most are sent to China for separation and purification—a bottleneck that lies at the heart of Japan’s current vulnerability.
Now, Japan is turning to Washington for leverage. On one hand, Tokyo has dispatched envoys to Beijing on multiple occasions, including Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s recent visit, yet no concessions have been made. On the other, Japan appears to be pursuing a last-ditch strategy—seeking U.S. intervention to exert pressure on China. However, such pressure is unlikely to yield results. The situation remains clear: without acknowledgment or adjustment from Japanese officials, particularly from Minister Hatoyama Haruko, prolonged delay will further deplete Japan’s strategic stockpiles, risking widespread production halts. Compounding the issue, China’s controls extend beyond a single element.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879567953432650/
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