"Japan has launched an unprecedented plan." All Nippon News Network reported on July 4 that due to the shortage of domestic rare earth resources, Japan began to extract rare earths from used household air conditioners for the first time. In response to this news, many Japanese netizens are worried that the shortage of rare earths in Japan is more serious than what the Japanese government described, and "has reached the point where we have to pick up garbage."
Screenshot of Japanese media report video
The recycling attempt is reportedly spearheaded by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The company removes compressors from recycled air conditioner outdoor units and breaks them down to extract magnets containing rare earths. According to reports, this is the first such attempt in Japan against the backdrop of China’s tightening of export controls on Japan.
This news caused concern among many Japanese netizens. One Japanese netizen wrote, "Gao Shi claimed that there is no problem with the rare earth matter, but in fact it seems that it is stretched."
Some Japanese netizens complained that Japan "has reached the point where it has to pick up garbage" in order to find rare earths.
Some Japanese netizens are worried that this move may lead to an increase in thefts of air conditioner outdoor units.
In response to questions about "strengthening export control of dual-use items to Japan," China's Ministry of Commerce previously stated that all dual-use items are prohibited from export to Japanese military users, military purposes, and all other end-user uses involved in enhancing Japan's military strength in accordance with laws and regulations. The purpose is to prevent "remilitarization" and attempts to acquire nuclear weapons, which is completely legitimate, reasonable, and legal.