Sawt Falasteen - Japan, Germany leaders target closer ties on critical minerals

Beijing leads the global market for the rare-earth minerals used in everything from batteries to missiles.

Since a diplomatic dispute last year related to China's claim to Taiwan, Beijing has imposed sterner controls on exports to Japan of certain products, including some rare earths.

Japan and Germany "will work to diversify sources of critical minerals and develop alternative supply sources, while also taking steps to protect critical technologies", Takaichi said during a joint media appearance with Merz.

The leaders did not mention China directly, but said in a joint statement that they had "grave concerns on the increasing use of economic coercion, such as arbitrary export restrictions and retaliatory measures on critical minerals".

They vowed to "work together to ensure that attempts to weaponise economic dependencies fail".

Takaichi said in November that Japan could consider intervening militarily in the event of an attack on Taiwan, the self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its territory.

China later imposed restrictions on the export to Japan of dual-use products -- those with both civilian and military applications -- and Tokyo has noted slowing or falling exports of some rare earths.

"Japan, the European Union, and Germany have all come to realise that we must reduce one-sided dependencies -- whether in our supply chains or regarding raw materials," Merz said alongside Takaichi.

"De-risking, diversification, and strengthening our resilience are the imperatives of the hour," he said.

The leaders also emphasised closer cooperation on defence, energy and advanced technology.

Earlier, Merz spoke at an economic forum in Tokyo to voice opposition to protectionism and the politicised use of supply chains, proposing the establishment of a "global political alliance for rules-based trade".

The German leader arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday after visiting Singapore, and will visit South Korea on Thursday.

R.AbuNasser--SF-PST