Japan is still dependent on Chinese rare earth supply

Foreign media said the Chinese air defense identification zone designation of the East China Sea , Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the Yasukuni Shrine end of 2013 , China was seen as synonymous with the risk of " rare earth" but did not become a topic. Is the crisis really disappear?

According to " Japanese Economic News " reported that by mid-September 2010, the Diaoyu Islands waters collision , China played the diplomatic card, cut off exports to Japan of rare earths. Since nearly 90 % of the demand dependent on Chinese rare earth supply shortages in Japan immediately , industry into great confusion . Rare earth supply shortage until the summer of 2011 , prices have soared several times.

In the interests of drivers , the United States , Canada, Australia and other countries to develop rare earth set off a craze . Japanese companies are also accelerating the diversification of procurement channels . Sojitz company began in the fall of 2013, imports of rare earths from Australia. Toyota Tsusho Corporation also plans 2014 production of rare earth in India.

Reported that through their own efforts to overcome the crisis in Japan seems to behave more and more powerful. However , Extraordinary Professor Institute of Industrial Science , University of Tokyo Toru Okabe said: " When Japanese companies grabbed the soft underbelly of China sourcing rare condition is still not changed. "

Reported that the misunderstanding lies in the "rare earth " is a general term . Although called "rare earth " Overall, it subdivided it can be divided into light rare earths and heavy rare earths , the former can be extensively mined in the world to which the stock rarely , is a veritable " rare earths " , two add up to a total of 17 kinds of persons . After the collision , the Japanese instead of Chinese from all over the world to find procurement channels mainly light rare-earth . Heavy rare earth rare earth remains the same is known almost entirely dependent on China .

Reported that representatives of heavy rare-earth is " dysprosium ." High-performance magnets mounted on hybrid and electric vehicles , in order to high temperature, it can not be separated , " Di ." By upgrading technology , although you can reduce the amount of vehicle , but with the popularity of electric cars , the total will be difficult to reduce .

Heavy rare earths outside of China in opening up the market , the company plans to Sumitomo imported from Kazakhstan , but has not had the goods. If Chinese exports interrupted for some reason , then, Japan does not ensure a steady supply .

Reported that the light rare-earth there are certain risks. Glass grinding need to use " cerium " because China banned exports after the collision , " cerium " Japan has popularized the alternative polishing method , the usage is also significantly reduced. However, the lighter rare earth mining out of the mixture, about half of the " cerium ." If miners produced according to the most " cerium " sales while reducing production plan, then a mine produced from the same raw materials , high-performance magnet " neodymium " liquidity optical lens materials " La " will be reduced .

Government source said: " As the saying goes , a good pain is forgotten . Dependent on China 's sense of crisis has been weak. Abe would like to take the opportunity to visit the Yasukuni Shrine again sounded the alarm . "

Reported that the industry strongly hope to achieve a balance between supply and demand of rare earth , Sino-Japanese relations as soon as possible to stabilize.


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