• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.116-119
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• 2011

A Chinese shipping boat collided with two Japanese coast guard boats in waters near the disputed Senkaku islands (known as Diaoyudao in China) in the East China Sea on September 7th last year. The boat was held and captain was arrested by Japanese Government. The incident soon turned into a big political and economic conflict between the two countries. Japan's intention was to show her tight control over Senkaku, whereas China's intention was to make it a disputed territory in the eyes of international politics. While the conflict was going on, a top-rank bilateral talk between the two countries was suspended, boycott of Japanese goods was suggested, numerous rallies were held in both countries. This situation lasted for several months until China used an extreme card of "Cutting Supply of Rare Earth to Japan". Under this pressure, Japan instantly released the captain and closed the case. Over this incident, public noticed the importance of rare earth and its impact on the global economy. Since then, the policy of Chinese Government for the rare earth has created more confusion and turmoil in the global market. The purpose of this article is to overview the price rally and future of the rare earth.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetics Society
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.197-201
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• 2014

As the importance of rare metal is increasing globally, Japan introduced the concept of Strategic Elements in 2004, and started Strategic Elements Project in 2007. The Goal of this project run by MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) is to develop high-function materials and components that do not use rare or harmful elements by studying the role and characteristics of the elements that compose materials and components and decide their functions and characteristics. In September 2010, Japanese coast guard arrested a Chinese fishing boat near Senkaku Islands (Diaoyudao Islands by China), which escalated to the territory issue and eventually a big diplomatic and economic conflict. In order to put pressure on Japanese Government, China used an economic option, which is the ban of rare earth export to Japan. This incident doubled Japan's motivation to develop Strategic Elements and put more efforts into this Project. MEXT set the following three research areas in February 2012: Study of alternative materials using sufficient and harmless elements, Study of applications for the high-functions of Strategic Elements, Study of practical design for components using Strategic Elements. Through a course of gathering the opinion of professionals, MEXT settled down with the following 4 research and study areas for the Strategic Elements Project in June 2012. 1. Magnetic materials to replace Dy, Nd. 2. Catalyst/Battery materials to replace Pt, Rh/Li, Co. 3. Electronic materials to replace In, Ta. 4. Structural materials to replace Nb, Mo. This paper deals with the first area and reviews the results of the research and study as of now.