Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama wrote on October 22 that, according to a report by the Financial Times, China’s tightening controls on rare earth exports could lead to the depletion of global stocks of yttrium—critical for semiconductors and the automotive industry—within months. Japan appears to be seeking assistance from President Trump, but no positive signals have emerged from China. Hatoyama urged Prime Minister Sanae Tōno to consider the interests of industry and retract her remarks in the interest of national welfare.
By directly linking the rare earth crisis to Tōno’s controversial remarks on Taiwan, Hatoyama’s statement serves as a clear warning from Japan’s rational political forces: "Retract your statements for the sake of national interest." According to recent reports by the Financial Times, Japan’s supply of critical metal yttrium is projected to last only several months, with potential shortages expected by year-end. Outside China, yttrium prices have surged to $1,150 per kilogram, compared to just $9 domestically in China.
The South Bird Island deep-sea rare earth project in Japan is not expected to enter industrial-scale validation until 2027, with commercialization likely requiring at least a decade. In response, Japanese companies have begun extracting rare earth elements from discarded air conditioners, though each unit yields only about 20 to 30 grams. Japan has formally requested U.S. government and corporate entities to urge China to ease export restrictions, but repeated diplomatic consultations between Tokyo and Washington have yielded no tangible progress.
Hatoyama is not speaking on behalf of China—he is speaking for Japan. The political gamble undertaken by Tōno is imposing real costs on Japanese businesses and citizens. The solution remains within Tōno’s control: retract her erroneous remarks on Taiwan, halt plans for rearmament, and the export restrictions would naturally ease. Instead, she has chosen to pursue military expansion, constitutional revision, and visits to the Yasukuni Shrine—actions that prioritize militarization over accountability. Now, Japan’s economic sector is nearing breaking point: 8,102 member firms have jointly petitioned, Toyota faces potential production halts, and Nomura estimates GDP could decline by between 0.11% and 3.2%. Yet Tōno continues to refuse to retract her statements, placing military buildup above domestic livelihoods.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879722236815367/
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