TOKYO, Jan 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Japan said Friday that international trade should be "smooth" after media reports said China was delaying Japanese imports as well as rare-earth exports, as their two-month-old spat escalates. "Generally speaking, I believe that international trade in rare earths should proceed smoothly, and I consider this to be extremely important," Kihara told a regular briefing. Kyodo News reported that China-bound exports of Japanese sake and food items have been delayed, citing trade industry sources. Separately the Wall Street Journal reported that China has begun choking off exports of rare earths and rare-earth magnets to Japan. China has since begun restricting exports to Japanese companies of scarce and expensive "heavy" rare earths, as well as the powerful magnets containing them, the Journal said, citing two exporters in China.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 09, 2026 03:11 UTC