Japan will take emergency measures to secure stable supplies of seven strategic materials it relies heavily on Russia or Ukraine for as the war and sanctions disrupt supply chains, the industry minister said on Thursday.
The actions include government support to boost domestic production, alternative procurement and to help technological developments to reduce use of the materials which include liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gases used in chip-making.
Efforts to buy upstream interests in energy and metals will also be stepped up with support from State-owned Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. (JOGMEC), the ministry said at the launch of a new task force on Thursday.