China’s Drastic Reduction in Graphite Exports to Japan; Urgent Need for Diversification in Japanese Imports
15:18 JST, January 21, 2024
BEIJING — China’s exports of graphite and related products to Japan decreased by over 40% in December compared to the previous month on a quantitative basis, according to trade statistics released Saturday by Chinese customs authorities. Graphite is an essential material for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs), and China, which accounts for about 65% of the world’s production, introduced export restrictions in December. Japan, which depends on China for 90% of its graphite imports, likely needs to urgently diversify its procurement sources.
According to The Yomiuri Shimbun’s tally based on the trade statistics, China’s overall export volume of graphite and related products decreased by 20%. Of this, exports to Japan decreased by 42%, and to the United States by 20%.
Even in terms of monetary value in RMB, there was a 25% decrease, with exports to Japan falling by 59% and to the United States by 15%. It is believed that the reduction was a reaction to Japanese companies increasing imports to secure stock after the Chinese government announced the introduction of regulations in October. The regulations target graphite and related products that meet certain requirements of purity and strength. There were items which had their exports to Japan and the U.S. drop almost to zero.
In August, the Chinese government also strengthened export controls on gallium and germanium, which are essential for advanced semiconductors, and exports to Japan have continued to decrease significantly. The Chinese Commerce Ministry states that this series of regulations is not targeted at any specific country or region, but they are seen as countermeasures against export controls in advanced semiconductor fields by Japan, the U.S., and Europe.
The Japan-China Economic Association, made up of major Japanese companies, is planning to send a delegation to Beijing on Tuesday to request a review of the regulations from the highest leadership.
"World" POPULAR ARTICLE
-
China Mutes Memorialization of Reformer Hu Yaobang; Memories Could Spark Critique of Xi Administration
-
UNRWA Director Describes Catastrophic Destruction in Gaza; Says Relief Trucks Robbed, ‘People’s Hearts Destroyed’
-
Search Continues for Missing People After 72-Hour Window Ends in Quake-Hit Taiwan; Weather Complicating Rescue Efforts
-
Former U.S. Pacific Command Head Touts Alliance; Harris Sees China, World Through ‘Dark Lens’
-
N. Korea Fires Ballistic Missile into Sea of Japan
JN ACCESS RANKING
- M6.0 Earthquake Hits Japan’s Tohoku Region; Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi Prefectures Observe 4 on Japanese Scale With No Risk of Tsunami
- China Mutes Memorialization of Reformer Hu Yaobang; Memories Could Spark Critique of Xi Administration
- Shinkansen Services Suspended After Man ‘Searches for Phone’ on Tracks; Disruption Affects About 14,000 Passengers
- U.S. 7th Fleet officer Arrested on Suspicion of Stealing Sushi, Sashimi, Chicken at Kanagawa Shopping Mall; Suspect Caught Mid-Meal
- Tsunami Advisory for Okinawa Lifted at Noon (UPDATE 2)