The leaders of Japan and France are poised to agree Wednesday to create a roadmap for diversifying supplies of rare earths and other critical minerals, Nikkei has learned.

The potential agreement between Japan and France on diversifying supplies of rare earths and critical minerals signals a strategic effort to reduce dependency on specific sources, which has significant implications for global supply chains. This move could impact related commodities and technologies, potentially affecting markets sensitive to shifts in resource availability and trade dynamics.