Several Chinese state-owned companies have informed their Japanese counterparts that they will no longer sign new contracts for the supply of rare earth elements. The possibility of terminating such existing contracts is also being discussed, Kyodo news agency reports, referring to sources in Beijing and Shanghai.
China on Jan. 6 imposed an embargo on exports to Japan of dual-use goods "for military purposes and any other purpose that contributes to the strengthening of military power," according to a statement from China's Ministry of Commerce.
However, there is no word yet on which specific products will be included in this list. It is the first time Beijing has announced a cut in rare earth supplies, and could deal a significant blow to Japan's heavily dependent industry.
from buying such products from China.
On January 8, Japan's First Vice Foreign Minister Takehiro Funakoshi summoned the Chinese ambassador to Tokyo, Wu Jianghao, and protested China's embargo on exports of dual-use goods used for military purposes to Japan.
