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Summary of article:
Takaichi Sanae’s defense of “something happened in Taiwan” triggered Beijing’s counterattack. Yttrium exports to Japan dropped 98% from January to September after China tightened controls on rare earths, putting Japan’s supply chain under pressure.
prime minister of japantakaichi sanae In Congress on November 7, 2025 “something happened in taiwan ” The reply angered mainland China and prompted China to increase pressure on Japan through export restrictions and other measures. It has now been almost a year. Chinese customs data shows that exports to Japan from January to September this yearrare earth The element Yttrium decreased by 98% compared to the same period last year.
Yttrium is an important material for semiconductor manufacturing equipment and is also used to manufacture jet engines and some medical devices, Kyodo News reported. China is a major contributor to the global yttrium market. Beijing authorities tightened export controls on dual-use goods, including rare earth elements, after reacting to the “Taiwan incident” in Gao city.
Chinese data shows that China’s yttrium exports to the world from January to September this year fell by 26% to 934 tons, exports to Japan were particularly notable, falling to only 18 tons, significantly lower than 887 tons in the same period last year. In comparison, China’s yttrium exports to Germany and South Korea have increased, and exports to the United States have almost doubled by 2025, when the United States and China were involved in trade disputes, but have not yet returned to previous levels. Washington has been urging Beijing to increase yttrium exports to the United States and Japan.
The Financial Times reported on October 20 that Japan’s yttrium stockpile may only last a few more months, raising concerns about supply chain disruptions. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said at a press conference two days later: “It is not true that our country will run out of yttrium.” However, the director of a large Japanese electronic parts manufacturer said: “We may still be facing inventory, but yttrium is becoming harder to buy, which makes us worried about the future.”
Summary FAQ
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On November 7, 2025, he defended “something is going on in Taiwan” in Congress. The relevant statement was considered a provocative move by Beijing. After this, China increased pressure on Japan and retaliated through export restrictions and other means.
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Chinese customs data shows that from January to September this year, only 18 tons of yttrium were exported to Japan, down 98% from 887 tons in the same period last year, indicating that relevant bilateral supply chains have been significantly impacted.
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Yttrium is an important material for semiconductor devices, jet engines and some medical devices, and China controls most of the global market share. Although Japanese companies say they can still rely on inventory to get by, procurement is becoming increasingly difficult.
