Japan Urges China to Ensure Access to Rare Earths, Magnets

Japan’s foreign minister urged his Chinese counterpart to ensure Japanese companies have access to rare earths and expressed concern about Chinese military activity close to Japan.

Takeshi Iwaya expressed “strong concern” over China’s export controls on rare earths and magnets, as well as Chinese military aircraft approaching Japanese Self-Defense Force planes, during a meeting Thursday in Malaysia, according to a statement from Japan’s Foreign Ministry.