Japan's Finance Minister says Japan needs to take away China's power to 'weaponize' rare earths

• "We want to create a [rare earth] market of proper democracies and market economies." 
• "If we don't take away China's means" of monopolizing and weaponizing the metals, "it will become a constant threat in areas with nothing to do with security." 

Japan's Finance Minister has emphasized the need to curb China's influence over rare earths, framing it as a significant geopolitical concern. This move to establish a more democratic market for rare earths could lead to shifts in global supply chains, impacting commodity prices and strategic partnerships within the region, especially for industries reliant on these resources.