Japan, France agree to boost cooperation on critical mineral supply chains

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to deepen cooperation to strengthen supply chains of critical minerals under a road map the countries signed Wednesday, amid China's dominance of global rare earths.

The two leaders also affirmed that Japan and France will maintain close communication in support of efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East and for a stable supply of crude oil, Takaichi said at a joint press appearance after their meeting in Tokyo.