Japan's 15-Year Rare Earth Lifeline Beyond China Offers Costly Lessons for US

• Japan developed a rare earth supply chain independent of China over 15 years, prompted by a 2010 Chinese embargo.
• Rare earths are critical for high-tech industries like EVs and defense, with China dominating global supply and processing.
• Following the 2010 crisis, Japan invested $1 billion and partnered with Australian miner Lynas to establish a non-Chinese "mine to magnet" supply route.
• This alternative supply chain, involving mining in Australia and refining in Malaysia, is cleaner but significantly more expensive than Chinese sources.
• Japan reduced its reliance on Chinese rare earths from over 90% to 60-70%, offering lessons for the US and others now seeking similar diversification.

Why It Matters: Japan's rare earth strategy shows how nations can reduce critical resource dependence.