Japan’s desperate attempt to end its dependency on China

 

No matter how Japan is trying, it still is somewhere dependent on China. The two countries share a very unstable relationship where they constantly dig each other and blame each other for past issues but that has not impacted their trade, till now.

But it was time that Japan took a strong stance if it really wanted to end its dependency on China for a number of factors. Only then can the island nation establish itself as a part equivalent to that of China.

It was only last month that the government officials had introduced a bill in the United States senate which will result in prohibiting contractors from the procurement of rare earth metals from China by late 2026.

It was then later on stressed by the Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton that it is being done with the aim to end America’s dependence on the Chinese Communist Party or CCP. He had said that it was important to win over China on strategic compliance and this time, even Japan is trying the same layout.

China has established itself as a world leader and if it's just Asia, there are only few to compete with it. Japan may be a tough competitor but to stand apart from the crowd, Japan will have to take drastic steps like announcing a cut down on trade dependence.

It would signify how strong Japan is and will help it foster western countries, especially the likes of the US and Australia.

One of the major problems to end its dependence on China remains the fact that China is still the global leader in rare earths mining, refining and component manufacturing and overseas 37% of world reserves and 58% of mine production in 2020.

Be it Japan or the US, they are dependent on China for it which complicates the geopolitical matters even further. But aggressive steps that Japan is taking towards China is a huge boost to its attempts to establish regional dominance.