The Japanese government is usually concerned about the hollowing out of the industrial sector, but when Shin-Etsu Chemical said in January it would build a rare earth recycling plant in Vietnam instead of upgrading its domestic facilities, the trade ministry had no objections.
Tokyo has urged companies to accelerate efforts to secure supplies of rare earths and find ways to reduce consumption, since 2010 when China announced big cuts to its export quota for the metals, which are used in products from weapons to hybrid cars.
The new Shin-Etsu plant, which would recycle up to 1,000 tonnes of rare earths a year from discarded appliances, ticked both boxes.
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