Japan’s G7 rare earth proposal risks further regional tension

Led by Japan, East Asia seems to be setting off along a road to nowhere – beyond tension and maybe eventual conflict. This may seem a harsh indictment yet consecutive Japanese leaders have shown a lack of vision on the constructive role their country could play in achieving regional peace and economic integration.The latest manifestation of this is Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s proposal this past week to G7 leaders in France to coordinate the stockpiling of critical minerals, including rare earths, to ease China’s grip on key supply chains.The Asia-Pacific, according to Asia Undercurrent, a webinar series by Nikkei Inc and the Japanese government, “faces escalating demand for critical minerals, including those that are essential to industries ranging from semiconductors to renewable energy.