China Clears Limited Rare Earth Exports to Japan Under Tighter 'Dual-Use' Controls

• Beijing green-lights selective rare earth exports to Japan, marking the first major test of its new "dual-use" export control regime.
• Approvals offer temporary relief but come with a more rigorous screening process, signaling a "new normal" in high-tech trade relations.
• China confirms processing "compliant" applications for civilian end-use, distinguishing from military dual-use items.
• Japanese firms face unprecedented transparency demands, including final destination of re-exported components, raising concerns about proprietary trade secrets.
• Japan accelerates its quest for mineral independence, making a breakthrough in deep-sea rare earth retrieval near Minamitorishima Island.