CommoditiesPhilippines, Malaysia and Vietnam hold promise for building China-free supply chainSumitomo Metal Mining seeks to tap the Philippines' rare-earth resources to step up production. (Sumitomo Metal Mining)ARATA SHIGENO and YUI SATOMay 18, 2026 00:38 JSTTOKYO -- Japanese companies are targeting Southeast Asia in their efforts to build rare-earth supply chains that do not rely on China, with Sumitomo Metal Mining tapping resources from the Philippines and trading house Sojitz developing mines in Vietnam and Malaysia.
Japan's Sumitomo Metal, Sojitz look to Southeast Asia for rare earths
Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam hold promise for building China-free supply chain
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