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 technolo…
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz agreed on Wednesday to cooperate on vital mineral resources to diversify supplies in a global sector dominated by China.