Skip to main content

Rare Earths and Japan: Traditional Vulnerability Reconsidered

  • Chapter
The Political Economy of Rare Earth Elements

Part of the book series: International Political Economy Series ((IPES))

  • 310 Accesses

Abstract

Rare Earth Elements (REE) have become an indispensable component of modern life. Commodities containing rare earth, such as personal computers, hybrid cars, smart phones, and tablets, are now an essential part of daily life. A dependency on such high-tech products will most likely only increase in the future. Several forecasts show that the global demand for light REE and heavy REE are projected to rise (Humphries, 2013, p. 4).1

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Baba, Y. (2014) ‘Rea asu mondai no seiri: kyoukyu risuku ha gensho?’ [Analysis of rare earth issues: declining supply risk?], Kinzoku Shigen Report, September, 65–75.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradsher, K (2010) ‘Amid Tension, China Blocks Vital Exports to Japan’, 22 September, The New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/23/busi-ness/global/23rare. html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, H.S. (2012) ‘Finding Sources of Rare Earths beyond China’, National Center for Policy Analysis, 108: 1–4.

    Google Scholar 

  • Capaccio, T. and Liebert, L (2013) ‘Pentagon Less Dependent on China Rare Earths, Report Says’, 18 December, http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013–12-17/pentagon-less-dependent-on-china-rare-earths-report-says.html.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coppel, E. (2011) ‘Rare Earth Metals and U.S. National Security’, American Security Project, 1 February, http://www.americansecurityproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Rare-Earth-Metals-and-US-Security-FINAL.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cortell, A. P. and Davis Jr., J. W. (1996) ‘How do International Institutions Matter? The Domestic Impact of International Rules and Norms’, International Studies Quarterly 40 (4): 451–478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cortell, A. P. and Davis, J. W. (2005) ‘When Norms Clash: International Norms, Domestic Practices and Japan’s Internalization of the GATT/WTO’, Review of International Studies 31 (1): 3–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feenstra, R. C. (1998) ‘Integration of Trade and Disintegration of Production in the Global Economy’, Journal of Economic Perspectives, 12 (4): 31–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GAO (2010) ‘Rare Earth Materials in the Defense Supply Chain’, General Accounting Office, United States Government, Washington, D.C. 14 April. http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10617r.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gereffi, G. (2013). ‘Global Value Chains in a post-Washington Consensus World’, Review of International Political Economy 1–29. DOI:10.1080/09692290.2012.756414.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grasso, V. B. (2012) ‘Rare Earth Elements in National Defense: Background, Oversight Issue and Options for Congress’, 5 September, CRS Report for Congress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasehira, K. (2013) ‘Rea asu metaru no antei kyokyu kakuho [Securing rare earth and rare metal]’, Tokugikon, 269: 50–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, W. and Yamamura, K. (1996) Asia in Japan’s Embrace: Building a Regional Production Alliance, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hatta, Y. (2010) ‘Rea metaru/Rea asu no senryakusei to anzenhosho:shigen no henzaisei to kakuho seisaku no kanten kara [The strategic nature of rare Metal/rare earth and national security: the uneven distribution of the resources and a policy in pursuit of stable supply’ Gaimusho Chosageppo, 3: 1–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Humphries, M. (2013) ‘Rare Earth Elements: The Global Supply Chain’ 16 December, CRS Report for Congress.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ikegami M. (2004) ‘International Defense R&D Cooperation: From Competition to True Cooperation’, in J. P. Bialos and S. L. Koehl (eds.) European Defense Research and Development: New Visions and Prospects for Cooperative Engagement. ( Stockholm: Center for Transatlantic Relations ).

    Google Scholar 

  • Inoue, T. (2012) ‘Rea asu gyoukai no genjo to kadairea asu kikito kokufuku kara erareta inprike-shon [current situation and challenges in rare earth industry]’ Mizuho Industry Focus, 114: 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Inoue, Y. and Gordon, J. (2011) ‘Analysis: Japanese Rare Earth Consumers Set up Shop in China’, Reuters, 12 August, http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/12/us-rareearth-japan-idUSTRE77B3TH20110812.

    Google Scholar 

  • JOGMEC (2011a) JOGMEC News Vol. 27, http://www.jogmec.go.jp/content/300059413.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • JOGMEC (2011b) 40 Reaasu(RE) http://mric.jogmec.go.jp/public/report/2011–07/REE.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • JOGMEC (2012) Kobutsu Shigen Materiaru Furo [material flow of metals] http://mric.jogmec.go.jp/public/report/2012–12/2012120122_REs.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • JOGMEC (2013) Rare Earth Handbook 2013. Tokyo: JOGMEC.

    Google Scholar 

  • JOGMEC (2014) JOGMEC News 36, http://www.jogmec.go.jp/content/300171427.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keohane, R.O. and Nye, J. S. Jr (2012) Power and Interdependence, fourth edition. NY: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korinek, J. and Kim J. (2010) ‘Export Restrictions on Strategic Raw Materials and Their Impact on Trade’, OECD Trade Policy Working Paper, 21, http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/trade/export-restrictions-on-strategic-raw-materials-and-their-impact-on-trade_5kmh8pk441g8-en.

    Google Scholar 

  • Magnetyze (2012) ‘Toshiba’s Samarium-Cobalt Magnet Challenges the Rare Earth Market’, http://www.magnetyze.com/post/2012/08/17/toshiba-creates-samarium-cobalt-magnet-041.aspx.

    Google Scholar 

  • METI (2011) Enerugi Hakusho 2011 [Energy White Paper 2011] http://www.meti.go.jp/report/whitepaper/mono/2011/pdf/honbun02_03_03.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • METI (2013) Enerugi Hakusho 2013 [Energy White Paper 2013], http://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/about/whitepaper/2013html/2–1-3.html 22 September 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  • METI (2014) Enerugi Hakusho 2014 [Energy White Paper], http://www.enecho.meti.go.jp/about/whitepaper/2014pdf/whitepaper2014pdf_2_1.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milner, H.V. and Moravcsik, A. (2009) Power, Interdependence and Nonstate Actors in World Politics, New Jersey: Princeton University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Neomag (2014) ‘Neojimu jishaku no sekai seisanryo suii’ [global production of Nd-Fe-b magnet], http://www.neomag.jp/statistics/ndfeb_production_transition.php.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nikkiei (2010) 4 March, http://business.nikkeibp.co.jp/article/topics/20100225/213029/.

  • Nikkiei (2013) Feb 13, http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASFK0804Y_Y3A200C1000000/?df=2.

  • Nikkiei (2014a) 20 September, http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLZO77318300Q 4A920C1TJ2000/.

  • Nikkiei (2014b) 17 July, http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASDZ17H5R_X10C14A7TJ2000/.

  • Okabe, T. and Nose, K. (2013) ‘Special Issue: New Technology for the Disruption of Metal Supply Chain’ Kinzoku[Metals] 83(11): 31–37. http://www.meti.go.jp/committee/sougouenergy/shigen_nenryo/kougyo/pdf/001_s03_00.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pempel, T. J. (1997) ‘Transpacific Torii’, in P. Katzenstein and T. Shiraishi (eds.) Network Power: Japan and Asia. ( Ithaca: Cornell University Press ).

    Google Scholar 

  • Samuels, R. J. (1994) Rich Nation, Strong Army: National Security and the Technological Transformation of Japan, Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sato, Y. (2014) Mineral Resource Information: Current Topics, Vol. 12, http://mric.jogmec.go.jp/public/current/14_12.html.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sojitsu (2014) ‘Goshu, Mareishia, rea-asu kaihatsu jigyou [Development of rare earth in Australian and Malaysia]’ March 2013, http://www.sojitz.com/jp/special/project/post-9.php.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toshiba (2012) ‘Toshiba Develops Dysprosium-free Samarium-Cobalt Magnet to Replace Heat-resistant Neodymium Magnet in Essential Applications’, August 2012, http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2012_08/pr1601.htm.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toyo Keizai Online (2011) 24 November, http://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/8084?page=4

  • Welch, D.A. (2011) ‘Embracing Normalcy: Towards a Japanese “National Strategy”’, in Y. M. Soeya, M. Tadokoro, and D. A. Welch (eds) Japan as a ‘Normal Country’?: A Nation in Search of its Place in the World. ( Toronto: University of Toronto Press ).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiener, A (2009) ‘Enacting Meaning-in-Use: Qualitative Research on Norms and International Relations’, Review of international Studies 35 (1): 175–193.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Copyright information

© 2015 Kyoko Hatakeyama

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hatakeyama, K. (2015). Rare Earths and Japan: Traditional Vulnerability Reconsidered. In: Kiggins, R.D. (eds) The Political Economy of Rare Earth Elements. International Political Economy Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137364241_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics