U.S.-Japan Framework Secures Critical Minerals Supply Chain
Impact Score: 3.8
Timeline: Key actions within 10 days, financial support within 6 months, and ministerial meeting within 180 days from October 28, 2025
Summary: On October 28, 2025, the U.S. and Japan signed a bilateral framework to secure raw and processed critical minerals and rare earths crucial for advanced technologies. The agreement focuses on diversifying supply chains through coordinated policy, financial support for mining and processing projects, regulatory streamlining, fair competition measures, and stockpiling strategies. A U.S.-Japan Critical Minerals Supply Security Rapid Response Group will lead efforts to address supply vulnerabilities. Vanderbilt University is encouraged to align its research and funding strategies with these priorities, leveraging new opportunities in advanced technologies, geological mapping, and international collaboration.
Key Actions: Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering to explore mining technology research; Office of Federal Relations to seek funding opportunities; Center for Technology Transfer to assess commercialization pathways; Earth and Environmental Sciences to enhance geological research; Business School to analyze economic impacts.
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