China¡¯s exports of some critical minerals to Japan remained at low levels in May, extending a downturn amid a political dispute between the two countries.
Exports of some key types of tungsten, as well as rare-earths dysprosium and terbium, stayed at zero in May, according to Chinese customs data. Some other rare-earth categories were also at unusually low levels.
Flows of industrial minerals have been closely watched since late last year, when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi angered Beijing with comments about Taiwan. In January, China tightened controls and scrutiny of dual-use products ¡ª items with civilian and military applications ¡ª shipped to its neighbor.
The restrictions are not yet comparable to the sweeping embargo that threatened Japan¡¯s industries during a dispute in 2010, but midstream companies including Mitsubishi Materials Corp. have said they are relying on alternative sources.
Tokyo joined last week¡¯s Group of Seven pledge to reduce reliance on any single country for rare earths to no more than 60%, though the developed economies still have to agree on a precise policy framework to achieve that goal.
Japan-bound exports of yttrium, another rare earth, saw a small volume in May, but levels so far this year are tiny compared to 2025. One broad customs category covering a mix of rare-earth materials posted its lowest rolling three-month volume since 2023.
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