Japan PM plans Australia visit over rare earths: report
According to the Nikkei newspaper, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to visit Australia to discuss rare earth elements supply chains and cooperation on safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Takaichi’s initiative comes shortly after his government signed a rare earths agreement with France, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported on Wednesday.
Japan and other countries are aiming to move away from a supply chain largely dominated by China, the world’s largest producer and supplier of rare earths.
Japanese and Australian leaders will also discuss the “free and open Indo-Pacific” initiative, according to the Nikkei report.
An attempt to reduce dependence on China has allowed Australian miners to secure deals; Lynas agreed a potential rare earth deal with South Korean firm LS Eco Energy last week.
France is among countries prepared to invest in Australia’s critical mining projects, Australian Resources Minister Madeleine King said on Thursday.
Australia’s Associated Press is the beating heart of Australian news. AAP is Australia’s only independent national news channel and has been providing accurate, reliable and fast-paced news content to the media industry, government and corporate sector for 85 years. We inform Australia.
