Japan's 15-year critical minerals strategy reduced Chinese rare-earth dependence but still faces acute HREE vulnerabilities. Here's what the West must learn.
Company Profile
Sojitz
Overview
About Sojitz
Sojitz Corporation is a Japanese general trading house (sogo shosha) headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, and a key player in securing rare earth and critical-mineral supply chains for the Japanese market. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under ticker 2768, Sojitz operates across the rare-earth value chain as an importer, distributor and project investor rather than a miner. Since 2011 the company has served as the exclusive Japanese distributor of light rare earth products from Lynas Rare Earths’ Mt Weld mine in Western Australia, supplying neodymium and praseodymium. Through Japan Australia Rare Earths (JARE), a vehicle with JOGMEC, Sojitz secured priority supply of heavy rare earths dysprosium and terbium from Lynas, with imports beginning in October 2025. In March 2026 Sojitz expanded its Lynas agreement and signed an MOU to jointly explore and develop new rare-earth mines, deepening Japan’s effort to diversify supply away from China.
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Recent Articles
A new Ifri report finds China's mineral dominance stems from processing, trading networks, and downstream manufacturing—not just mining. Here's what it
Over 50 traders control billions in critical mineral flows with no public exchange. REEx reveals who shapes supply, pricing, and project finance behind
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In H1 2026, major traders like Traxys, Mercuria, and Sojitz reshaped rare earth supply chains through offtakes, reserves, and state-backed deals amid
Pensana's Longonjo project in Angola advances with 22% construction complete, targeting 2027 MREC commissioning as a key non-Chinese rare earth supply chain.
China's 80% rare earth export cut to Japan reveals that 15 years of diversification still hasn't replaced Beijing's dominance in processing and magnets.
Hyundai's Boston Dynamics acquisition reveals hidden supply chain risks: humanoid robots depend on China's rare earth magnet dominance.
Japan accelerates Japan Southeast Asia supply chain strategy for critical minerals, targeting rare earths in Laos, Cambodia, Philippines to reduce China depend…
Japan's Sojitz targets Laos, Cambodia, India for rare earth supply, signaling Great Powers Era 2.0 shift in Southeast Asia critical minerals.
Japan-France-Malaysia triangle targets heavy rare earth midstream to break China's 90% processing dominance. Caremag starts late 2026.
Sojitz Corporation's rare earth supply chain strategy reveals how orchestrators, not miners, control critical minerals from mine to market.
Japan secures heavy rare earth supply chain through JOGMEC-Toyota Tsusho partnership in Namibia's Lofdal project for dysprosium and terbium.
China controls rare earth magnet production for EVs. Automakers shift to magnet-free motors as supply chain vulnerability persists through 2026.
Japanese trading houses like Sojitz are quietly orchestrating rare earth supply chains, becoming indispensable power brokers in the global shift.
Lynas JARE agreement extends through 2038 with $110/kg NdPr price floor, securing Japan's rare earth supply and reshaping global markets.
China controls 90%+ of NdFeB magnet production. 2025 export controls forced Ford to halt Explorer output, exposing EV motor supply vulnerability.
Japan's Sojitz expands rare earth imports from Lynas Australia, adding samarium by 2026 in Japan rare earth diversification strategy.
How rare earth trading firms like Traxys and Mercuria are reshaping global supply chains through Project Vault and strategic partnerships.
Lynas Rare Earths (ASX:LYC) jumped 10% on Jan 7, 2026, but is this technical rebound sustainable without fundamental catalysts?
Hybrid vehicles are driving massive rare earth magnet demand. Explore the supply chain from mining to motors and why investors should pay attention.
Ex-China rare earth supply chain builds toward 2026-2028, led by MP Materials & Lynas, but glut risks loom amid China's dominance.
U.S., Saudi Arabia, and global allies forge new rare earth supply chain deals worth billions to counter China's dominance in critical minerals.
Lynas begins exporting heavy rare earths to Japan via Sojitz, creating the first non-Chinese dysprosium and terbium supply chain.
Australia and US seal $1B+ critical minerals pact to challenge China's supply chain dominance and build rare earth processing capacity.
Critical analysis of IFP's Operation Warp Speed rare earths proposal—what works, what's missing, and why mining isn't mRNA. Investor reality check.
Trump & Albanese sign $13B US Australia critical minerals deal to challenge China's rare earth dominance. What investors need to know.
Rare earth brokers and traders connect mines to manufacturers, bridging supply gaps and driving transparency in North America's critical minerals market.
South Korea convenes urgent security meeting on rare earth supply amid China's export restrictions. Seoul's response reveals dependency risks.
Australia launches groundbreaking critical minerals reserve, offering allies strategic access to rare earth elements and challenging China's global mineral mar…
Global rare earth supply chain transformation accelerates with strategic deals, policy moves, and international partnerships reducing dependence on Chinese mon…
Toyota's strategic approach to diversifying rare earth supply chains, navigating geopolitical challenges and technological innovations in critical minerals sou…
IREL India Limited explores strategic partnerships with Japan and South Korea to develop rare earth magnet production, aiming to reduce dependence on China.
Explore the complex world of rare earth contracts, from mining to magnets, and how strategic partnerships are reshaping the global supply chain outside China.
Discover the hidden world of rare earth traders who navigate complex global supply chains, connecting mines to manufacturers and reshaping critical mineral mar…
Explore the complex world of rare earth element contracts outside China, revealing intricate pricing strategies, legal safeguards, and geopolitical dynamics in…
Vietnam emerges as a strategic rare earth mining hub, challenging China's dominance with ambitious projects like Dong Pao and international partnerships.
India's IREL struggles with rare earth production amid Chinese export restrictions, challenging domestic manufacturing and seeking to establish a sovereign sup…
India suspends rare earth exports to Japan, signaling strategic shift in global supply chain and domestic resource conservation efforts.
Japan's strategic approach to critical mineral supply chains offers a resilient model for navigating geopolitical tensions and securing essential resources.
