LDP uses election manifesto to pledge stable rare earths supply amid China row - The Japan Times
LDP uses election manifesto to pledge stable rare earths supply amid China row - The Japan Times
Model Diplomat1 min readasia
The Japan Times reports that Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) released its Lower House election manifesto focusing on economic security and national stability. Key points:
- Commitment to a stable rare earths supply by funding overseas mine development and refining projects, aiming to diversify away from China amid economic coercion concerns (notably China’s dual-use export bans).
- The LDP targets strengthened hard-line posture toward China and to safeguard Taiw
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