Japanese media: gaps remain between Tokyo, Washington and Europe

Japan eyes mineral mining in Greenland

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae. [Yonhap]
Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae. [Yonhap]

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae is expected to propose joint stockpiling of rare earths and other critical minerals at the Group of Seven summit in France on Monday.

According to Japanese media, Takaichi made the announcement at a press conference Saturday before departing for Europe, saying energy security and strengthening critical mineral supply chains would be among the summit's main agenda items.

"I will attend the G7 summit as a representative of Asia and will actively emphasize Japan's positions and initiatives, including perspectives from the Indo-Pacific," she said.

Japan already operates a national stockpiling regime for rare earths and plans to support other major countries seeking to adopt a similar system.

The Yomiuri Shimbun and the Nikkei reported that Takaichi's proposal reflects a broader vision for coordinated action among major nations against China's use of rare earths and other critical minerals as strategic leverage.

The move comes amid continued Chinese export restrictions on rare earths to Japan following Takaichi's suggestion last year that Japan could intervene in a Taiwan contingency. It signals her intent to seek a solution through solidarity among key allies.

However, the Nikkei said the approach puts Japan at odds with some partners: last month's summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping set a conciliatory tone in US-China relations, while Britain and Germany have been deepening economic cooperation with Beijing.

The Japanese government has also launched a survey for critical mineral mining in Greenland, a Danish territory, the Nikkei reported.


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