Japan's Rare-Earth Struggle Offers Cautionary Lesson for US Diversification

Japan's attempts to reduce its dependence on Chinese rare earths have proven only partially successful, as Beijing continues to restrict shipments in response to political tensions. Despite being widely praised for diversifying its supply chain, Japan still faces significant vulnerabilities, and the United States may encounter similar obstacles in its own push to break free from Chinese dominance. A mining economist at CSIS describes Japan's experience as a cautionary tale for Washington.