Japan and Vietnam strengthen cooperation in earth metals

Vietnam and Japan are strengthening their cooperation in the field of rare earths. Japan is concerned that it will not be able to get enough earth metals from China. China has imposed restrictions on the export of the earth metals.

Vietnam and Japan have now agreed to build a joint research center on Vietnamese territory, BBC News reports. Vietnam will pay for the building, while Japan will pay for the research equipment.

Currently, China is almost a monopolist when it comes to the export of rare earth metals; 97 percent of global exports come from Chinese mines. Japan imports 60 percent of China’s exports. However, China has imposed restrictions on the export of earth metals; something about which Japan, along with the European Union and the United States, have filed a complaint with the World Trade Organisation.

With the new center, Japan wants to become less dependent on Chinese imports. Japan and Vietnam have already signed a cooperation agreement. Rare earth metals are needed in the production of computers, mobile phones and cars, among other things.