Country Intelligence
Japan stands out in this dataset through named industrial and corporate presence, processing and refining capacity, and upstream production exposure, with its strongest relevance showing up in Selenium, Tellurium, and Indium.
This country stands out through downstream industrial presence, named companies, and end-market relevance rather than pure upstream concentration.
Strategic Read
Japan matters because refining and processing concentration can translate into leverage even when mine output is not dominant.
Policy events
3
Materials covered
13
Leading materials
Why Japan matters
Primary read
Industrial base
Why it matters
Japan matters because refining and processing concentration can translate into leverage even when mine output is not dominant.
What to watch
Watch policy changes, permitting, and trade rules alongside any shift in Selenium exposure.
Coverage signals
Materials covered
13
Linked policy events
3
Refining appearances
8
Named companies
15
These are dataset signals showing how often Japan appears across strategic materials research, not official reserve or production totals.
Mining / upstream supply
Very High
4
Refining / processing
Very High
8
Policy leverage
Moderate
3
Industrial presence
Very High
15
Where Japan appears in the dataset
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Selenium matters here because of producer signal: ~20% (~680-710 t), refining share: 20% (~680-710), 3 named players, and appears in chokepoint analysis.
Producer signal
~20% (~680-710 t)
Refining share
20% · ~680-710
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Tellurium matters here because of producer signal: 90-110 t/yr (17-19%), refining share: 18%, and 1 named player.
Producer signal
90-110 t/yr (17-19%)
Refining share
18%
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Indium matters here because of producer signal: 9–14% (80–120 t), refining share: 11%, and 2 named players.
Producer signal
9–14% (80–120 t)
Refining share
11%
Integrated upstream and refining presence
Gallium matters here because of producer signal: <1% (refining), refining share: 0.3%, and 2 named players.
Producer signal
<1% (refining)
Refining share
0.3%
Processing and refining relevance
Graphite matters here because of refining share: 5% and 1 named player.
Refining share
5%
Processing and refining relevance
Copper matters here because of refining share: 7%.
Refining share
7%
Processing and refining relevance
Gold matters here because of refining share: 5% and 1 named player.
Refining share
5%
Processing and refining relevance
Cobalt matters here because of refining share: 1.5% (3,500) and 1 named player.
Refining share
1.5% · 3,500
Corporate and industrial relevance
Dysprosium matters here because of 2 named players.
Corporate and industrial relevance
Terbium matters here because of 2 named players.
Corporate and industrial relevance
Neodymium matters here because of 1 named player.
Corporate and industrial relevance
Niobium matters here because of 1 named player.
Supply-chain source relevance
Tin is one of the materials where this country appears in the intelligence dataset.
Industrial footprint by material
| Material | Roles | Producer signal | Refining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selenium | Producer, Source, Refiner, Key Player, Chokepoint | ~20% (~680-710 t) | 20% · ~680-710 |
| Tellurium | Producer, Source, Refiner, Key Player | 90-110 t/yr (17-19%) | 18% |
| Indium | Producer, Source, Refiner, Key Player | 9–14% (80–120 t) | 11% |
| Gallium | Producer, Source, Refiner, Key Player | <1% (refining) | 0.3% |
| Graphite | Source, Refiner, Key Player | N/A | 5% |
| Copper | Source, Refiner | N/A | 7% |
| Gold | Refiner, Key Player | N/A | 5% |
| Cobalt | Refiner, Key Player | N/A | 1.5% · 3,500 |
| Dysprosium | Key Player | N/A | N/A |
| Terbium | Key Player | N/A | N/A |
| Neodymium | Key Player | N/A | N/A |
| Niobium | Key Player | N/A | N/A |
| Tin | Source | N/A | N/A |
Companies and industrial actors linked to Japan
Japan
Tesla battery partner; NCA chemistry
Japan
Leading NdFeB magnet producer. Pioneer in grain boundary diffusion technology.
Japan
Major NdFeB magnet manufacturer for automotive and electronics. GBD adopter.
Japan
High-purity gallium and GaAs substrate production
Japan
Gallium recovery and high-purity refining
Japan
Leading electronics-grade gold supplier; bonding wire
Japan
Premium synthetic anode manufacturer
Japan
60–100 t/yr globally (primary + secondary). Japan's leading indium recycler, recovering from display scrap and ITO target waste.
Japan
20–40 t/yr; primarily copper/precious metals with indium as minor line.
Japan
Major NdFeB magnet producer for electronics and automotive
Japan
NTO-anode battery development with CBMM and Sojitz. Prototype electric bus with 10-min charging (Jun 2024).
Japan
Major Japanese copper refiner with significant selenium recovery operations.
Japan
World's largest CIGS solar module manufacturer. Major consumer of 5N-grade selenium.
Japan
Full GBD production for N45–N50 grades; ~30% Tb reduction per magnet.
Japan
GBD adoption for select industrial motor magnets; ~25% Tb reduction.
Relevant policy and regulation
Feb 2026
Government of Japan · Government of Japan
Bilateral agreement to develop non-Chinese RE processing in Goias. Complements existing Lynas/JARE partnership.
Oct 2025
Government of South Korea · Government of South Korea
First comprehensive strategy covering domestic extraction, separation, magnet manufacturing, and cooperation with US, Japan, and Australia.
Dec 2023
China · China MOFCOM
Requires special permits for exporters of highly sensitive graphite products, including battery-grade spherical graphite. South Korea and Japan heavily impacted.
Chokepoints and concentration notes
Selenium: Only Japan and select European refiners produce 5N+ solar-grade Se
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