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July 04, 2025
 

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Ernest Scheyder
Workers transport soil containing rare earth elements for export at a port in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China in 2010.
BUSINESS / Markets
Jun 4, 2025
Global alarms rise as China's critical mineral export curbs take hold
China has a stranglehold on minerals crucial for sectors ranging from aerospace to semiconductors.
A rare earth open-pit mine in Mountain Pass, California. U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order that taps the Cold War-era Defense Production Act as part of an effort to domestically process a range of critical minerals.
WORLD / Politics
Mar 21, 2025
U.S. moves to curb China’s grip on critical minerals
Trump invokes emergency powers for more U.S. mining, citing economic and security concerns.
Lithium evaporation ponds in Silver Peak, Nevada. Global lithium demand is expected to outpace supply by 500,000 metric tons annually by 2030.
BUSINESS
Mar 26, 2024
America's lithium laws fail to keep pace with rapid development
Washington's drive to make the U.S. a major global lithium producer is being held back by a confusing mix of state regulations.
The MP Materials rare earth open-pit mine in Mountain Pass, California, in January 2020. Western startups are focusing their attention on the process of refining rare earths — some of them pivoting from mining — that China has spent the past 30 years mastering.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 5, 2023
Western startups seek to break China's grip on rare earths refining
The companies are looking for faster, cleaner and cheaper ways to process the minerals that are critical for billions of electronic devices.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo walks with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 16, 2022.
BUSINESS
Nov 13, 2023
U.S. and Indonesia to discuss potential EV mineral deal: sources
Indonesia, which has the world's biggest nickel ore reserves, in September asked the U.S. to begin discussions for a trade deal for critical minerals.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 23, 2023
Lithium producers warn supplies may not meet global EV demand
Staffing shortages, inflation and delays in issuing mine permission may hinder efforts to source enough of the battery metal to meet aggressive electrification timelines.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jun 17, 2023
Inside the race to remake lithium extraction for EV batteries
The global battle to reshape the lithium industry is sucking in oil producers and tech startups, each jockeying to be the first to reinvent how the key metal is produced.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 15, 2022
U.S. bill would block defense contractors from using Chinese rare earths
The bipartisan legislation would force defense contractors to stop buying rare earths from China by 2026 and use the Pentagon to create a permanent stockpile of the strategic minerals.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 21, 2021
Arizona mining fight pits economy and EVs against conservation and culture
After U.S. President Joe Biden put a stop to a huge copper mine project, some people are rejoicing while others living nearby are feeling the pinch.
Japan Times
WORLD
Mar 2, 2021
To go electric, America needs more mines. Can it build them?
The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has made big promises to environmentalists as well as labor groups and others who stand to benefit by boosting mining.
Japan Times
WORLD / Science & Health / FOCUS
Aug 22, 2014
Refracking brings 'vintage' oil and gas wells back to life
A fracking boom isn't enough for U.S. oil and gas producers — they're now starting the re-fracking boom.
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Onosato's yokozuna promotion causes rare quirk in new sumo rankings
Newly promoted yokozuna Onosato holds a copy of the latest banzuke ranking in Anjo, Aichi Prefecture, on Monday.
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Over 900 earthquakes strike Tokara islands in space of two weeks
A screenshot shows many quakes occurring in the Tokara islands over the past 30 days, in this image taken from the U.S. Geological Survey website.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

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