United States – Japan Framework for Securing the Supply of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths through Mining and Processing

10/27/2025
Briefings & Statements

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Action Summary

  • Framework Overview: A bilateral U.S.-Japan agreement aimed at securing raw and processed critical minerals and rare earths for domestic advanced technologies and industrial bases.
  • Supply Chain Security: Initiatives to ensure resilience through diversified supply chains via coordinated economic policy tools, financial support mechanisms, and stockpiling systems.
  • Investment in Mining and Processing:
    • Project Selection: Jointly identifying projects addressing supply chain gaps including derivative products (permanent magnets, batteries, catalysts, optical materials).
    • Financing: Committing to provide financial backing within six months for selected projects through grants, loans, guarantees, equity, and other means.
    • Investment Support: Exploring new mechanisms to mobilize private capital and enhance supply chains.
    • Ministerial Meeting: Convening a bilateral Mining, Minerals and Metals Investment Ministerial within 180 days to engage relevant stakeholders.
  • Permitting and Regulatory Streamlining: Accelerating and deregulating permitting processes related to mining, separation, and processing under domestic laws.
  • Fair Competition and Pricing Mechanisms: Addressing non-market policies and unfair trade practices by establishing high-standard marketplaces and pricing measures, in cooperation with international partners.
  • Asset Sales and Scrap Management:
    • Asset Sales: Collaborating to develop or strengthen authorities and diplomatic tools to review and deter asset sales on national security grounds.
    • Scrap: Investing in recycling technologies and managing mineral scrap to support supply chain diversification.
  • Additional Collaborative Measures:
    • Third Party Engagement: Working with other international partners as needed.
    • Geological Mapping: Cooperating on mineral resource mapping to support diversified supply chains.
    • Rapid Response Group: Establishing a U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Supply Security Rapid Response Group, led by the U.S. Secretary of Energy and the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, to address supply vulnerabilities.
    • Stockpiling: Considering mutually complementary stockpiling arrangements using existing national systems.
  • General Provisions:
    • Project Monitoring and Reviews: Authorities of both participants will monitor and review projects as per domestic laws.
    • Meeting Procedures: Provisions for virtual or in-person meetings within 10 days of request.
    • Discontinuation Clause: Either participant may withdraw via written notification, effective 30 days after receipt.
    • Legal Disclaimer: The framework is a policy and programmatic action plan without legally binding obligations under domestic or international law.
  • Signatories and Timing: Signed in Tokyo on October 28, 2025, by President Donald J. Trump (United States) and Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae (Japan).

Risks & Considerations

  • The framework emphasizes securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths, which are essential for advanced technologies. This could lead to increased competition for these resources, potentially affecting costs and availability for industries reliant on them, including those in academia and research.
  • Vanderbilt University may face challenges in securing necessary materials for research and development projects, particularly in fields such as engineering, technology, and environmental sciences, if supply chains are disrupted or if costs increase.
  • The focus on investment in mining and processing could lead to environmental and regulatory challenges, which may impact research projects related to sustainability and environmental protection.
  • There is a risk that the emphasis on fair competition and pricing mechanisms could lead to changes in market dynamics, affecting partnerships and collaborations with international research institutions and industries.
  • The establishment of a U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Supply Security Rapid Response Group may create opportunities for collaboration but also necessitates careful navigation of international relations and compliance with new regulations.

Impacted Programs

  • Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering may need to adjust its research focus and partnerships to align with the new priorities in critical minerals and rare earths supply chains.
  • The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences could see increased demand for expertise in geological mapping and mineral resource management, presenting opportunities for research and collaboration.
  • Vanderbilt’s Office of Research might need to explore new funding opportunities and partnerships to support projects affected by changes in the supply of critical minerals and rare earths.
  • The Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization may need to reassess its strategies for technology development and commercialization in light of new market dynamics and regulatory changes.

Financial Impact

  • The reallocation of resources towards securing critical minerals and rare earths could impact funding availability for other research areas, necessitating strategic adjustments in grant applications and funding strategies.
  • Vanderbilt University might experience changes in its research funding landscape, particularly if federal and international grants prioritize projects related to critical minerals and rare earths.
  • There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in critical minerals and rare earths, particularly through collaborations with government and industry partners.
  • As the focus on critical minerals and rare earths intensifies, there could be a shift in the research priorities and funding allocations within the university, potentially affecting ongoing and future projects.

Relevance Score: 3 (The framework presents moderate risks involving compliance and potential impacts on research and funding strategies.)

Key Actions

  • Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering should explore research opportunities in advanced technologies that rely on critical minerals and rare earths. By aligning with the U.S.-Japan Framework, the school can position itself to contribute to innovations in mining and processing technologies.
  • The Office of Federal Relations should engage with federal agencies to identify potential funding opportunities for projects related to critical minerals and rare earths. This proactive approach can help secure grants or partnerships that support Vanderbilt’s research initiatives.
  • Vanderbilt’s Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization should assess the potential for developing new technologies or processes that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of critical minerals and rare earths supply chains. This could lead to commercialization opportunities and partnerships with industry leaders.
  • The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences should consider expanding its research on geological mapping and mineral resource assessment. Collaborating with international partners, including those in Japan, can enhance the department’s research capabilities and global impact.
  • Vanderbilt’s Business School should analyze the economic implications of the U.S.-Japan Framework on global supply chains. By understanding market dynamics and pricing mechanisms, the school can provide valuable insights to policymakers and industry stakeholders.

Opportunities

  • The U.S.-Japan Framework presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering to lead in the development of sustainable mining and processing technologies. By leveraging its expertise, the school can contribute to the creation of high-standard marketplaces for critical minerals and rare earths.
  • Vanderbilt can capitalize on the focus on supply chain security by developing interdisciplinary programs that address the technical, economic, and policy aspects of critical minerals and rare earths. This could enhance the university’s reputation as a leader in this emerging field.
  • The emphasis on international collaboration offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Global Education Office to establish exchange programs with Japanese institutions. These programs can facilitate knowledge sharing and joint research initiatives in critical minerals and rare earths.
  • By engaging with industry partners, Vanderbilt can position itself as a key player in the development of new technologies and processes that support the U.S.-Japan Framework’s objectives. This could lead to increased funding and collaboration opportunities.

Relevance Score: 4 (The framework presents significant opportunities for Vanderbilt to engage in research and collaboration related to critical minerals and rare earths, requiring major process changes to capitalize on these opportunities.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.8

Timeline for Implementation

  • Within 10 days: The Participants will meet (virtually or in-person) at the written request of the other Participant upon receipt of the request.
  • Within 30 days: In the event of discontinuation notification, the Framework terminates on the thirtieth day after receipt of the written notification.
  • Within six months: Measures to provide financial support to selected projects will be taken to generate end product deliveries.
  • Within 180 days: A bilateral Mining, Minerals and Metals Investment Ministerial will be convened to discuss investment approaches and priorities.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

  • U.S. Department of Energy: The framework establishes a U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Supply Security Rapid Response Group under the leadership of the U.S. Secretary of Energy, indicating an active role in identifying supply vulnerabilities and coordinating rapid responses.
  • Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI): The Japanese counterpart, led by its Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry, is directly involved in the bilateral coordination outlined in the framework.
  • U.S. Domestic Regulatory Agencies (Implied): Although not named explicitly, the directive to streamline and adjust permitting processes suggests involvement of U.S. regulatory bodies overseeing mining and processing permits.
  • Japanese Domestic Regulatory Agencies (Implied): Similarly, the framework’s call for deregulated and expedited permitting on the Japanese side implies the engagement of domestic regulatory authorities responsible for mining and processing oversight.

Relevance Score: 2 (A moderate number of government organizations are affected by the bilateral framework.)

Responsible Officials

  • U.S. Secretary of Energy – Charged with leading the U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Supply Security Rapid Response Group to identify priority minerals, address supply vulnerabilities, and coordinate financial and regulatory actions.
  • Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry – Co-leads the Rapid Response Group and is responsible for implementing policies that secure Japan’s supply chains in critical minerals and rare earths.

Relevance Score: 5 (The directives explicitly involve cabinet-level officials with nation-wide strategic implications.)

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