Japan

May 2026

The Northern Anchor: Japan and Australia Formalise the A$1.67B Critical Minerals Corridor

Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi and Australian PM Anthony Albanese have signed the 2026 Elevated Critical Minerals Cooperation Agreement in Perth, earmarking A$1.3 billion from Australia's Critical Minerals Facility and A$370 million from Japan's JOGMEC to protect the West's primary rare earth pipeline - including a first-ever non-Chinese production of Dysprosium and Terbium at commercial-ready grade.

Apr 2026

The Caremag Protocol: France and Japan Bridge the Heavy Rare Earth Gap

France and Japan have formalised a Critical Minerals Roadmap anchored by Caremag - the first industrial-scale heavy rare earth separation facility outside China, located in Lacq, France. Japan has secured a 20% offtake of Dysprosium and Terbium oxides, while USA Rare Earth will supply feedstock from Texas, creating a Triangular Corridor for HRE supply.

Mar 2026

The $110 Floor: Japan and Lynas Rewrite the Rules of Rare Earth Policy

Lynas and Japan Australia Rare Earths (JARE) have finalised a supply deal to 2038 featuring a US$110/kg NdPr floor price-a landmark Sovereign Price Protection mechanism that structurally decouples Tier-1 rare earth producers from Chinese benchmark pricing.

Jan 2026

China tightens export licences for dual-use rare earth magnet technologies

Effective Jan 2026, China implemented Announcement No. 1 [2026], tightening export licences for dual-use rare earth magnet technologies, specifically targeting exports to Japan.