Nikkei Asia reported that Japanese trading firm Sojitz and the Japan Metal and Energy Security Organization (JOGMEC) will invest about A$200 million ($134.7 million) in Lynas Rare Earths in Australia through Japan Australia Rare Earths by the end of March, the first time that Japan showed its interest in heavy rare earth elements.
Japan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo sign an agreement to cooperate in rare earth mineral mining in the African country, aiming to promote Japanese investment and expand supplies of resources critical for a wide range of consumer and industrial products.