Japan PM Takaichi plans Australia visit to discuss rare earths, Nikkei reports
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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will also discuss the “free and open Indo-Pacific” initiative with Australian officials, Nikkei said.
PHOTO: AFP
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- Japan's PM Takaichi plans to visit Australia to discuss rare-earth supply chains and safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
- This follows Japan's rare earths deal with France, aiming to diversify supply chains away from China, the dominant supplier.
- Japan and Australia will also discuss the "free and open Indo-Pacific" initiative, as Australian miners secure deals.
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TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is planning a visit to Australia, seeking to discuss supply chains for rare-earth elements and cooperation on safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Nikkei newspaper reported on April 3.
Ms Takaichi’s initiative comes shortly after Tokyo signed a rare earths deal with France, which Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported on April 1.
Japan and Western governments have been aiming to diversify away from the supply chain largely dominated by China, the world’s largest rare earths producer and supplier.
The Japanese and Australian leaders will also discuss the “free and open Indo-Pacific” initiative, the Nikkei report said.
The attempt to lessen dependence on China has allowed Australian miners to secure deals, with Lynas agreeing a potential rare earths deal with South Korea’s LS Eco Energy last week.
The Australian resources minister said on April 2 that France was among the countries that were set to invest in Australian critical mineral projects.
