Japan PM to visit Australia for rare earths talks

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is preparing for an official visit to Australia to bolster supply chain security for rare-earth elements and strengthen maritime cooperation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Nikkei newspaper reported.

The diplomatic push follows a recent strategic agreement between Tokyo and Paris, as Western allies intensify efforts to diversify critical mineral sourcing away from China’s market dominance.

Alongside resource security, Takaichi and her Australian counterparts are expected to reaffirm their commitment to a "free and open Indo-Pacific", a move that aligns with recent commercial wins for local industry.