Japan Alerts WTO Rule Violation against China’s Rare Earth Export Stop

Mr. Akihiro Ohata, minister of Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI), explained at a press conference on Tuesday Japanese government’s factual investigation is continued on Chinese rare earth export stoppage against Japan. Mr. Ohata said Chinese government described there was no administrative direction to stop rare earth export for Japan while several Japanese importers deposed exporting ships are stranded at Chinese quays. Mr. Ohata insisted Japanese government would demand remedial action against Chinese government in the case Chinese export stoppage is administratively intentional and violates WTO rules.

Mr. Ohata said Chinese government expressed an intention to keep normal and stable trades with Japan on September 25 but the government should show facts and take some actions on the problem. At the same time, Mr. Ohata referred to necessity to examine rare earth import from other countries such as Canada, USA and Vietnam in future though 96% of Japanese rare earth import comes from China now.

Mr. Masanori Suzuki, director-general of METI’s Manufacturing Industries Bureau, told reporters on Tuesday Japanese government even eyes cooperative problem solution with USA and European countries. Mr. Suzuki said Chinese assembly industry may be suffered from component shortage if rare earth export continues to be stopped because component supply stops from Japan such for glass hard disks applied to mobile computers.