Japan, France to draw road map for supply of critical minerals

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on Wednesday to design a road map for critical minerals supply as they seek to deepen cooperation in the sector amid China’s dominance of global rare earths.The two leaders also affirmed that Japan and France will maintain close communication in support of efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and establish a high-level dialogue on artificial intelligence, Takaichi said at a joint press appearance after their meeting in Tokyo.They also expressed “serious concerns” over controls on critical mineral exports, in an apparent reference to China’s stricter export regulations, a move widely seen as the nation’s coercive use of economic levers.Calling France a “special partner sharing values and principles”, Takaichi said, “Amid an increasingly severe international security environment, cooperation with like-minded countries has never been more important for the peace and prosperity of our nations and the region.”Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) and French President Emmanuel Macron react during a press conference at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on April 1, 2026. Photo: AFPRare earths are essential for manufacturing hi-tech products including electric vehicles, semiconductors and cutting-edge weapons.