Japan's rare-earth imports from China plunge to 5-year low

72% drop in value for May follows trade curbs by Beijing

20250708N China rare earths REUTERS

A laborer works at a rare-earths mine in eastern China's Nancheng county. Exports of the resources to Japan have fallen from the peak in 2022. © Reuters

YUKA FURUBAYASHI

TOKYO -- Japanese imports of Chinese rare earths, essential for making a slew of advanced products, have fallen to the lowest in more than five years, Nikkei has found, following trade restrictions Beijing imposed on the resources in response to U.S. tariffs.

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