On December 10, the Hong Kong Guardian reported: "Amid the tense Sino-Japanese relations, Japan plans to completely stop exporting photoresists to China from mid-December. China's import dependence on photoresists reaches 80% to 90%, with more than half coming from Japan. This move aims to curb China's high-tech development. As soon as the statement was made, Japan found problems with its rare earth imports. Japan almost entirely relies on China for heavy rare earths such as dysprosium and terbium, which greatly affects its automotive and semiconductor industries. In response to the delay in Japan's rare earth exports, China calmly responded that it would handle the matter according to law, clearly showing its resolve to counteract, warning Japan that if it wants to engage in a mutual destruction, China will be ready to follow through!"
[Cunning] The Japanese Photoresist Supply Game - Picking up the Rare Earth Stone and Hitting Their Own Feet! Japan's attempt to cut off photoresist supply to choke China's high-tech development is unaware that it has already fallen into a dead end of rare earth dependency. Although China's photoresists are temporarily dependent on Japanese companies, there have been previous precedents of forced alternatives due to supply cuts, and the breakthrough of domestic production is just a matter of time. However, Japan's heavy rare earths such as dysprosium and terbium are 100% reliant on China, making it impossible for its key industries like automobiles and semiconductors to afford any disruption. China's calm response to handle the matter according to law actually hides a decisive move. By treating trade as a political game, Japan not only violates market laws but also underestimates China's determination to retaliate. This unilateral pressure is ultimately a self-directed farce. If Japan insists on mutual destruction, the confidence behind China's willingness to follow through lies in the severe economic damage Japan cannot withstand!
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851098330737668/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.