【经济日报：#日本多行业陷入稀土焦虑#】#日本担忧中国稀土出口管制#近日，有日本经济学界人士指 出，日本政府和产业界十分关注中国稀土相关物项出口管制的工作情况。日本近年来加快实施供应来源 多元化、替代材料研发、国家储备强化，以及回收利用等措施，以摆脱对中国稀土依赖。相关统计显 示，日本进口稀土对中国的依赖度从约90%降至目前的约60%。但与此同时，日本在关键品类上的依赖 仍然高度集中。用于电动汽车驱动电机钕磁体的镝（Dy）、铽（Tb）等重稀土几乎100%依赖中国供 应，一旦受限，日本经济仍将面临较大冲击。分析认为，一旦中国实施出口管制，日本汽车、电子零部 件、风力发电、医疗设备及航空航天五大领域将首当其冲。汽车产业方面，电动汽车和混合动力汽车的 驱动电机依赖钕磁体，日本车企过去曾因稀土短缺暂停部分车型生产，而替代技术尚未商业化；电子领 域中，智能手机、半导体制造设备和硬盘驱动器普遍使用稀土，尤其是荧光材料和磁性材料难以替代， 而中国在精炼环节占据压倒性优势；风力发电设备使用的高性能磁体依赖度也较高，替代技术存在效率 降低和成本上升的问题；医疗设备领域，核磁共振成像（MRI）等装置使用的强磁体对稀土具有不可替 ...

近日，有日本经济学界人士指出，日本政府和产业界十分关注中国稀土相关物项出口管制的工作情况。 转自：经济日报 日本近年来加快实施供应来源多元化、替代材料研发、国家储备强化，以及回收利用等措施，以摆脱对 中国稀土依赖。相关统计显示，日本进口稀土对中国的依赖度从约90%降至目前的约60%。但与此同 时，日本在关键品类上的依赖仍然高度集中。用于电动汽车驱动电机钕磁体的镝（Dy）、铽（Tb）等 重稀土几乎100%依赖中国供应，一旦受限，日本经济仍将面临较大冲击。 分析认为，一旦中国实施出口管制，日本汽车、电子零部件、风力发电、医疗设备及航空航天五大领域 将首当其冲。汽车产业方面，电动汽车和混合动力汽车的驱动电机依赖钕磁体，日本车企过去曾因稀土 短缺暂停部分车型生产，而替代技术尚未商业化；电子领域中，智能手机、半导体制造设备和硬盘驱动 器普遍使用稀土，尤其是荧光材料和磁性材料难以替代，而中国在精炼环节占据压倒性优势；风力发电 设备使用的高性能磁体依赖度也较高，替代技术存在效率降低和成本上升的问题；医疗设备领域，核磁 共振成像（MRI）等装置使用的强磁体对稀土具有不可替代性；航空航天领域的发动机及防务装备广泛 使用稀土合金 ...

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, highlighted the threat posed by China's dominance in rare earth resources, emphasizing that the U.S. defense, automotive, and high-tech industries heavily rely on Chinese rare earths, with China controlling 85% to 100% of global rare earth refining capacity. However, the underlying issue of U.S. dependence on rare earths stems from its own past decisions rather than external "containment" by China [1][5]. Group 1 - Rare earths are not as scarce as their name suggests; the global reserves are abundant, and the U.S. has rich domestic rare earth deposits. However, decades ago, the U.S. opted to cease large-scale rare earth mining and refining due to environmental and cost concerns, transferring these activities to other countries to alleviate domestic environmental pressures and reduce costs [3][5]. - Over time, U.S. companies shifted the rare earth supply chain abroad, focusing on higher value-added high-tech assembly, leading to a decline in domestic rare earth mining, refining technologies, and industrial systems, resulting in significant reliance on Chinese rare earth resources [5][7]. Group 2 - In contrast, China capitalized on this opportunity by investing in rare earth refining and processing, developing advanced refining technologies, and establishing a complete industrial chain from mining to deep processing, achieving over 85% of global rare earth refining capacity through superior technology and cost advantages, rather than through "containment" [7][8]. - The U.S. has attempted to seek rare earth resources from other countries or increase domestic mining efforts, but these efforts have not yielded significant results due to technological limitations, high refining costs, and insufficient production capacity in other countries. Even attempts to revive U.S. rare earth mines face environmental and facility challenges, leading to continued dependence on China [8][9]. Group 3 - The current situation reflects a classic case of self-inflicted dependency, as the U.S. prioritized enjoying the benefits of global supply chain division without taking responsibility for foundational industries. Addressing this dependency will require substantial financial investment, time, and a shift in development mindset [8][9]. - To effectively overcome this crisis, the U.S. must acknowledge its past policy mistakes and focus on building a robust rare earth industry rather than blaming China for its own shortcomings. Without a fundamental change in short-sighted development thinking, the U.S. may face similar challenges in other critical resources and industries in the future [8][9].

Core Viewpoint - The prices of rare earth elements, particularly terbium, have reached record highs, with significant implications for industries reliant on these materials, such as electric vehicles and wind power generation [2][4]. Group 1: Price Trends and Export Controls - Terbium reached a new high price in July, indicating ongoing supply constraints despite discussions of easing export controls by China [2][4]. - As of July 31, the price of dysprosium was $805 per kilogram, approximately three times higher than pre-control levels, while terbium peaked at $3,150 per kilogram, the highest since May 2015 [4]. - China's customs data for June showed nearly zero exports of dysprosium-related products, with terbium-related exports down by 90% compared to March, leading to production halts in some automotive sectors in Europe and Japan [6]. Group 2: Demand and Future Projections - The demand for rare earth elements is expected to grow, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) projecting that by 2050, the demand for rare earth elements used in magnets will be 2.2 times that of 2024 under net-zero emissions scenarios [6]. - Efforts are underway in the U.S. and Japan to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earth supplies, with MP Materials partnering with the U.S. Department of Defense, which is expected to acquire a 15% stake in the company [6]. Group 3: Supply Diversification Efforts - Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has highlighted the need for diversification in supply sources, not just for rare earths but for other minerals as well [7]. - Japan is exploring projects to develop heavy rare earths outside of China, but challenges remain due to high costs associated with securing alternative production sites [7]. - Despite efforts to establish production outside of China, experts believe that China's dominance in high-value rare earth mining will not be easily disrupted [7].

Group 1 - China has agreed to suspend or cancel all non-tariff countermeasures implemented since April 2, while also reducing tariffs for a period of 90 days [1] - The agreement suggests that China will lift restrictions on the export of seven "medium and heavy" rare earth metals imposed on April 4, while maintaining restrictions on other critical minerals [1] - Since the implementation of China's restrictions on April 4, prices of certain "medium and heavy" rare earth elements have surged over 200% in overseas markets [1] Group 2 - The U.S. has been exploring various options to reduce its dependence on China, including accelerating domestic rare earth production and seeking partnerships with foreign entities [2] - MP Materials, a U.S. rare earth company, has signed a preliminary agreement with Saudi mining firm Ma'aden to explore the development of the rare earth industry in Saudi Arabia [2] - Despite efforts to find alternatives, U.S. companies acknowledge that China's advanced rare earth refining technology and supply chain remain a significant advantage, making rare earth minerals a "trump card" for China in the foreseeable future [2]