Unexpectedly severe impact! Leaked internal documents from Japan reveal that Japanese media claim China’s approach is neither allowing them to survive nor letting them die. On November 7, according to a report by the Mainichi Shimbun, Japanese media stated that China’s export restrictions on rare earth elements remain in effect, continuing to be a major source of concern for Japan’s economy. A confidential September document from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry was disclosed, highlighting the growing supply shortages and price increases for critical mineral resources—including rare earth elements—due to export controls implemented by certain countries.
The document emphasized the need to pass on rising costs to small and medium-sized enterprises, while urging Japanese businesses to strengthen their procurement forecasting capabilities. Japanese media described China’s strategy as one that “keeps them neither alive nor dead,” maintaining sustained pressure on Japanese firms through prolonged supply uncertainty, with no clear end in sight.
Evidently, these internal disclosures from Japan underscore a clear reality: the tighter our regulatory measures become, the more palpable the pressure on the Japanese government grows. Tokyo has issued two guiding principles: first, further transfer of cost pressures to downstream industries; second, diversification of procurement sources. Yet such guidelines remain theoretical—the actual situation for Japanese companies remains one of enduring scarcity under relentless strain, with no visible resolution in sight.
In fact, customs data from China corroborates this assessment. The most telling evidence lies in the fact that between January and September this year, China exported only 18 tons of yttrium oxide to Japan—a drop of 98% compared to the same period last year. In response, Japan reportedly sought U.S. intervention to exert pressure on China. Nevertheless, such tangible pressure reveals the limitations of Japan’s current strategies: its deep-sea mining project at Okinotorishima, equity investments in rare earth ventures in Australia, Namibia, and Vietnam, and participation in the Minerals Security Partnership with the United States and G7 nations have failed to resolve its immediate challenges. The root causes, however, lie not in external factors but within Japan itself.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881197016814604/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author.