China's Ministry of National Defense Rebukes Japan Over 442 Fighter Scrambles as Critical Mineral Rivalry Intensifies

Highlights

• Japan recorded 442 fighter scrambles from April–September 2026, up 67% year over year, with 285 responses to Chinese aircraft
• China's control over rare earth separation, metals, and magnets creates supply vulnerabilities for Japan's aerospace and defense sectors
• The March 2026 U.S.–Japan Critical Minerals Action Plan proposes coordinated trade measures and price floors to support alternative suppliers
• Japan's long-term Lynas agreements prioritize dependable rare earth access over reliance on Chinese spot prices
• Western industrial policy is evolving into security policy as allies work to secure qualified materials during potential prolonged disruptions