Japan feels the squeeze as China’s rare earth magnet exports only partly recover

Japan feels the squeeze as China’s rare earth magnet exports only partly recoverChina’s exports of rare earth magnets to Japan recovered only modestly last month, with Japanese firms warning of ‘severe’ shortages2-MIN READ2-MIN2ListenPublished: 6:30pm, 20 May 2026China’s exports of rare earth permanent magnets to Japan slightly rebounded in April after slumping the previous month, but Japanese firms warn they are facing “severe” shortages as a diplomatic row between Beijing and Tokyo grinds on.Shipments of permanent magnets from China to Japan rose by 2.5 per cent in April compared with the previous month, according to Chinese customs data released on Wednesday. But the modest rise only partly offset the 17.3 per cent plunge recorded in March.The slowdown has raised alarm among Japan’s industrial giants, as permanent magnets are essential components for a range of hi-tech products – from electric cars to advanced weaponry. China is the world’s largest supplier of the magnets.Select VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x