Quick Takeaways
- Japan–EU critical minerals cooperation gains momentum as both sides align on supply security.
- The partnership focuses on rare earth stability amid rising geopolitical and trade risks.
On January 20 and 21 (JST), Mr. Ryosei Akazawa, Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), participated in the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting held in Davos, Switzerland, where Japan and European countries released a joint press statement affirming cooperation to ensure a stable supply of critical minerals, including rare earths.
The Japan–EU critical minerals cooperation comes at a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty and rising concerns over China’s export control measures. Both sides acknowledged the growing need to reinforce mineral supply resilience and reduce vulnerabilities in strategically important raw materials essential for advanced manufacturing and clean energy technologies.
To strengthen supply chains, Japan and its European partners agreed to promote concrete cooperative initiatives. These include launching joint projects with like-minded countries and enhancing collaboration frameworks aimed at securing reliable access to critical mineral resources while improving long-term supply stability.
During the Davos meetings, Mr. Akazawa held separate discussions with key European leaders to explain Japan’s position regarding China’s restrictions on exports to Japan. The talks also focused on exchanging views on future cooperation to address shared supply chain challenges and deepen economic coordination between Japan and Europe.
The meetings involved:
Through these engagements, Japan emphasized the importance of coordinated international action to safeguard critical mineral supply chains and reinforce economic security across allied economies.
The Japan–EU critical minerals cooperation comes at a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty and rising concerns over China’s export control measures. Both sides acknowledged the growing need to reinforce mineral supply resilience and reduce vulnerabilities in strategically important raw materials essential for advanced manufacturing and clean energy technologies.
To strengthen supply chains, Japan and its European partners agreed to promote concrete cooperative initiatives. These include launching joint projects with like-minded countries and enhancing collaboration frameworks aimed at securing reliable access to critical mineral resources while improving long-term supply stability.
During the Davos meetings, Mr. Akazawa held separate discussions with key European leaders to explain Japan’s position regarding China’s restrictions on exports to Japan. The talks also focused on exchanging views on future cooperation to address shared supply chain challenges and deepen economic coordination between Japan and Europe.
The meetings involved:
- Stephane Sejourne, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission
- Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for the European Commission
- Nicolas Forissier, France’s Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness
- Peter Kyle, U.K.’s Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Through these engagements, Japan emphasized the importance of coordinated international action to safeguard critical mineral supply chains and reinforce economic security across allied economies.
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