Foreign media: China said it will ban the export of "dual-use" goods with potential military applications to Japan, although it did not explicitly mention rare earths, but it may include medium and heavy rare earths. Japan is highly vigilant.
In 2010, during the territorial dispute between China and Japan, China had suspended rare earth exports to Japan for two months. This time, Japan is worried about a similar situation reoccurring. Japan has reduced its reliance on Chinese rare earths from 90% in 2010 to 60% to 70% now, but heavy rare earths are still almost entirely dependent on China.
If China restricts rare earth exports, Japanese manufacturing will suffer serious damage. According to an estimate by Nomura Research Institute, a three-month export restriction would cost Japan about $4.3 billion, and a year would amount to $17 billion.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1853673793727488/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author himself.