Unprecedented! To Find Rare Earth Elements, Japan Starts 'Dismantling Air Conditioners'...

Japan "for the first time" extracts rare earths from used air conditioners, Japanese netizens complain: "We've reached the point of having to pick up trash."

"Japan has launched an unprecedented plan." All-Nippon News Network reported on July 4 that due to the shortage of rare earth resources in the country, Japan has for the first time begun extracting rare earths from used household air conditioners. In response to this news, many Japanese netizens are concerned: the shortage of rare earths in Japan is more serious than the Japanese government describes, "and we've reached the point of having to pick up trash."

Screenshot of the news report from Japanese media

Screenshot of the news report from Japanese media

According to reports, this recycling attempt was initiated by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The company dismantled compressors from recycled air conditioning outdoor units and decomposed them to extract magnets containing rare earths. The report says this is the first such attempt in Japan against the backdrop of China strengthening export controls on Japan.

This news has sparked concern among many Japanese netizens. One Japanese netizen wrote, "Takaichi said 'no problem' regarding rare earths, but it looks like it's actually stretched thin."

Another Japanese netizen complained that Japan has "reached the point of having to pick up trash" to find rare earths.

Some Japanese netizens also worry that this move may lead to an increase in theft of air conditioning outdoor units.

Regarding the question about "strengthening export controls on dual-use items to Japan," China's Ministry of Commerce previously stated that it legally and in accordance with regulations exports all dual-use items, prohibiting exports to Japanese military users, military uses, and any other end-user uses involved in enhancing Japan's military capabilities. Its purpose is to curb "re-militarization" and nuclear ambitions, which is completely legitimate, reasonable, and lawful.

Source of this article: Global Times

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