Japan set to propose critical mineral recycling at G7

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has requested the government to propose committing to #criticalminerals recycling at the G7 summit meetings, on expectations that an international consensus would spur the country's circular economy.

LDP has compiled proposals for the "Growth Strategy for Highly Advanced Resource-Autonomous Economy", aiming for Japan to achieve new economic growth by building a resilient circular economy. The proposal — submitted to the country's trade and industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura on 11 April — requested the government to address the issue of securing critical minerals through "economically rational and safe recycling" measures at the G7 summit meetings, according to LDP. The party expects a G7 consensus to pave the way for the country's circular economy.

Further details were undisclosed. But given that Nishimura and the country's prime minister Fumio Kishida are LDP members, the agenda could possibly be discussed either at the ministerial meeting on climate, energy, and environment on 15-16 April in northern Japan's Hokkaido or at the #G7summit in western Japan's Hiroshima in May.

The ruling party also requested that the Japanese government discuss specific measures in line with the "Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency Principle" agreed at the previous G7 meeting in Germany last year. LDP also expects the government to collaborate with "like-minded nations", including Asean member countries, to strengthen strategic dialogue on international standardisation for resource recycling. This was especially given that the Basel Convention — an international environmental agreement regarding waste shipment — will conduct tighter regulations on electrical waste from January 2025.

By Yusuke Maekawa

#energytransition #g7 #criticalminerals

Sign up here to receive free bi-weekly updates on your metals of choice.