Japan and U.S. Sign Deal on Nuclear and Minerals

TOKYO – Japan and the United States signed a landmark agreement on Tuesday to cooperate on next-generation nuclear power and rare earth supplies. The deal, signed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, aims to secure critical minerals and reduce reliance on China, which dominates global rare earth processing. The signing ceremony took place at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, underlining the growing strategic partnership between the two allies.

The White House said both countries will use coordinated investment and economic tools to develop diversified and fair markets for rare earths. They plan to provide financial support for selected projects within six months and explore joint stockpiling arrangements. Japan and the U.S. will also work with international partners to strengthen supply chain security. The move comes amid rising global concern over China’s export curbs on critical minerals used in electronics, defense, and renewable energy.

The agreement also highlights cooperation in nuclear power technology, a top priority for Prime Minister Takaichi. Both nations expressed interest in developing AP1000 nuclear reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs). Japanese firms such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Toshiba may play key roles. Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, views nuclear power as vital for energy security and technology exports. Japan’s reentry into the global nuclear market marks a major shift since the 2011 Fukushima disaster, which shut down all its reactors.

About 20 U.S. and Japanese companies have already shown interest in potential investments linked to a $550 billion joint package. The partnership could also expand into fusion energy, another area favored by Takaichi. However, the agreement did not mention new U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) deals, even as Japan increases LNG imports to replace supplies from Russia’s Sakhalin-2 project. The U.S. has urged Tokyo to cut Russian energy imports as part of its Ukraine war sanctions policy.

Japan continues to seek affordable and reliable LNG sources to stabilize energy prices. Companies such as JERA and Tokyo Gas have signed major deals to import LNG from Alaska and Louisiana, with deliveries starting around 2030. However, experts warn that American gas may cost more than Russian supplies. “The question is whether the U.S. can offer Japan LNG as cheap as Russia’s,” said Nobuo Tanaka, head of Tanaka Global Inc. Despite growing U.S.-Japan energy ties, Tokyo remains cautious about fully ending its dependence on Russian gas due to cost and logistics.

Read More : U.S. and Japan Sign Strategic Agreement on Supply of Rare Minerals

The United States and Japan have signed a significant agreement on the supply of rare and critical minerals, marking a new chapter in bilateral trade and defence relations.

According to international media reports, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo, where both leaders formally signed the mineral supply agreement.

During the meeting, President Trump said, “The United States has received new orders from Japan for military equipment, and our trade relations are based on fairness and mutual respect.”