United States–Japan Framework for Securing Critical Minerals and Rare Earths

• Date/Source: October 27, 2025 — Briefings & Statements
• Purpose: Establish a non-binding policy framework to secure and diversify U.S.–Japan supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths across mining, separation, and processing.

Key elements

• Supply security:

  • Coordinate economic tools (financing, stockpiles, appropriate trade measures) to accelerate secure supply for advanced technologies and industrial bases.
  • Promote upstream–downstream industry dialogues to diversify supply chains.

• Investment and financing:

  • Jointly identify priority projects (magnets, batteries, catalysts, optical materials).
  • Mobilize grants, guarantees, loans, equity, offtakes, insurance, and regulatory facilitation.
  • Within six months: take steps to financially support selected projects.
  • Convene a bilateral Mining, Minerals and Metals Investment Ministerial within 180 days.

• Regulatory and market measures:

  • Streamline/accelerate permitting for mining, separation, and processing.
  • Address non‑market policies and unfair trade by building high-standard marketplaces and pricing mechanisms reflecting true costs.
  • Develop/strengthen authorities to review and deter sensitive asset sales on national security grounds.

• Recycling, partners, and mapping:

  • Invest in recycling technologies; coordinate on scrap management.
  • Work with international partners as appropriate.
  • Cooperate on geological mapping in the U.S., Japan, and elsewhere.

• Rapid response and stockpiles:

  • Create a U.S.–Japan Critical Minerals Supply Security Rapid Response Group led by the U.S. Secretary of Energy and Japan’s METI Minister.
  • Consider complementary stockpiling arrangements using national systems.

• General provisions:

  • Monitor/review projects; meet within 10 days upon request.
  • Either side may discontinue with written notice; framework is non‑binding and creates no legal rights or obligations.
  • Signed in Tokyo on October 28, 2025, by President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae.