稀土博弈烧到华盛顿！日本“断粮”危机下的疯狂反击

Group 1 - Japan's industry is facing a severe supply chain crisis due to China's restrictions on rare earth exports, impacting key sectors such as defense, automotive, and electronics [1][3] - A leaked document from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry indicates that 92% of the 1,328 items under Chinese control are directly related to Japan's core industries, with rare earths accounting for 68% [3] - The production of critical components, such as lithium battery packs for submarines, has been halved, leading to increased costs and extended production timelines [3] Group 2 - Japan's Finance Minister is attempting to forge a "democratic supply chain" with the US and Europe to counter China's influence, but past efforts in the US to boost domestic rare earth production have been largely unsuccessful [5] - European companies express skepticism about replicating China's rare earth supply chain, as they heavily rely on Chinese imports for essential materials [5] - China's new export control measures have limited global rare earth exports to 150,000 tons annually, complicating Japan's attempts to source materials from alternative countries [5] Group 3 - Japan's Defense Minister is exploring nuclear submarine cooperation with the US, linking it to the rare earth supply chain issue, which may indicate Japan's military ambitions [7] - The US is more interested in using Japan as a rare earth transit point rather than genuinely supporting its military industry, highlighting Japan's strategic vulnerabilities [7] - Japan's historical role in controlling rare earth patents has come back to haunt it, as it now faces similar tactics from China [7] Group 4 - The ongoing rare earth conflict is seen as a political performance rather than a viable solution, with G7 countries also dependent on Chinese rare earths [9] - The potential for Japan to enter a dangerous arms race due to its nuclear submarine ambitions raises concerns about regional stability [9] - The outcome of this geopolitical struggle will significantly influence the future dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region [9]