Rare earth yttrium soars 9-fold in a year amid China curbs

Materials Rare earth yttrium soars 9-fold in a year amid China curbs Japan seeks alternative sources of metal used in chipmaking, jet engines The heavy rare-earth element yttrium is used in defense applications and semiconductor manufacturing. © Reuters MACHIKA SUZUKI November 12, 2026 04:12 JST TOKYO -- Prices for the heavy rare-earth metal yttrium have skyrocketed in the past year as China has clamped down on exports, raising concern among Japanese companies about depleting inventories and future supply. Read Next Supply Chain Japan's Sojitz to import rare earth yttrium from Malaysia Materials Japan struggles to secure rare earths for EVs, chip tools under China pressure Materials China rare-earth exports to Japan, US plunge after restrictions Materials Shin-Etsu to set up rare-earth smelter in Japan to ease reliance on China International relations Japanese companies caught in crossfire of Beijing-Tokyo rift Politics Data centers, rare earths among top priorities in Japan's growth strategy Latest on Materials Materials Thailand's SCG to reopen Hormuz-affected Vietnam plant in mid-2027 Materials Japan metals maker plans $1.2bn Malaysia copper foil plant on AI demand Materials Threat of trade curbs pushes Japan steel exports to three-decade low Sponsored Content About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.