China Restarts Rare Earth Shipments To Japan

After a months-long drama after China stopped exporting rare earth elements to Japan as part of a diplomatic dispute, the exports have again resumed, AP reports:

Japanese trade and industry minister Akihiro Ohata said Wednesday that two ships containing the minerals had left China for Japan.

Importers in Japan say shipments have been halted since September, held up in Chinese ports by increased inspections and paperwork. The export ban began after Japan arrested a Chinese fishing boat captain after his ship collided with patrol boats near disputed islands.

China currently produces 97 percent of the global supply of rare earth metals, which are crucial for the manufacturing of high-tech products such as cell phones, computer drives and hybrid cars.

Beijing has denied banning the exports.

See also an Al Jazeera report which explains what rare earth elements are and how the U.S. is trying to compete with China’s monopoly over the industry: