中国稀土（4）日本如何摆脱对中依赖?

Core Viewpoint - Japan is 100% dependent on China for heavy rare earth elements, particularly dysprosium and terbium, which are essential for enhancing the heat resistance of magnets used in electric and hybrid vehicles. The current situation makes it difficult to diversify procurement sources [1][3]. Group 1: Current Challenges - Japan's reliance on China for heavy rare earth elements has been highlighted, with the country facing challenges in sourcing alternatives. The production of dysprosium and terbium is heavily concentrated in China, making diversification difficult [1][3]. - The impact of China's export restrictions was evident when Suzuki halted production of small cars due to a lack of necessary materials [3]. Group 2: Technological Development - The technology for neodymium magnets originated in Japan, developed by individuals such as Sagawa Makoto in 1982. Companies like Proterial, Shin-Etsu Chemical, TDK, and Daido Steel are advancing research in this area [2]. - Daido Steel has developed magnets that do not use heavy rare earth elements, which have been adopted by Honda for hybrid vehicles since 2016. However, these magnets still face challenges in heat resistance and magnetic properties compared to those using heavy rare earths [5]. Group 3: Strategies for Reducing Dependence - Japanese companies are implementing two main strategies to reduce reliance on heavy rare earths: reducing raw material usage and recycling [4][6]. - Proterial and Shin-Etsu Chemical have managed to reduce the amount of heavy rare earths used in magnets to one-tenth of the levels seen around 2000 by optimizing their usage [4]. - Shin-Etsu Chemical has developed technologies for recycling rare earths from manufacturing scraps and waste magnets, creating an internal recycling mechanism [6]. Group 4: Market Dynamics and Government Support - Chinese companies benefit from government support, allowing them to offer magnets at lower prices than their Japanese counterparts. In 2018, approximately 50% of Japan's rare earth metal imports came from China, projected to rise to 63% by 2024 [7]. - Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has identified 86 categories of imports that are heavily reliant on specific countries, surpassing the numbers for the US and Germany [7]. - The Japanese government aims to ensure that domestic neodymium magnet production meets local demand by 2030 and is providing subsidies for recycling equipment [7].