Japan ‘months’ from running out of critical rare earth as China squeezes supply

Japan is facing an urgent shortage of critical rare earth materials, particularly yttrium, due to China's tightened supply controls. The Japanese government has reached out to the US for assistance in persuading Beijing to ease these restrictions, fearing a potential manufacturing shutdown. This situation underscores the global dependency on China for critical minerals and highlights the geopolitical tensions surrounding supply chains. The urgency of this issue points to broader implications for international trade and manufacturing sectors worldwide.