Japan's government is hosting the inaugural Tokyo Economic Security Forum on December 15 in Tokyo. Amid global uncertainties from the US-China trade war and high tariffs under the Trump administration, experts from around the world will discuss securing strategic materials and protecting supply chains. The importance of public-private collaboration is highlighted.
The Tokyo Economic Security Forum will be held at Nikkei Hall in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, with participation from Japanese government officials, representatives from Europe and India, corporate executives, and think tank experts. Following the opening session, four panel discussions will cover policy strategies, public-private partnerships, supply chain stability for critical minerals, and international cooperation. Companies such as NEC, IBM, and General Motors will join the discussions.
This forum serves as the centerpiece of the Economic Security Global Forum Weeks, running from September to December, with more than 20 related events planned. The backdrop includes the faltering WTO-centered free trade system, supply chain disruptions from Russia's invasion of Ukraine since 2022, and protectionist reciprocal tariffs imposed by the Trump administration in April. China announced expanded export restrictions on rare earths on October 9, underscoring the strategic importance of the resource, which it dominates with 70% of global production and 90% of refining. Implementation was postponed after the Trump-Xi summit on October 30, but tensions between liberal democracies and the authoritarian bloc, including China and Russia, persist.
In an interview, Kazuto Suzuki, professor at the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Public Policy, stated, “Economic security is a major pillar of Japan’s growth strategy. We need a long-term perspective on investments to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance 'indispensability' in areas like materials and semiconductor equipment where Japan's fine-tuning expertise is unmatched.” The government has committed about ¥1.8 trillion in support to Rapidus Corp. for next-generation semiconductors, with over another ¥1 trillion by fiscal 2027. Investments come from Toyota Motor Corp., Sony Group Corp., and SoftBank Corp. Trial mining of an estimated 16 million tons of rare earths near Minami-Torishima Island is set to begin as early as January.
On December 14, the Liberal Democratic Party's Headquarters for the Promotion of Economic Security proposed using the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to fund Japanese companies' overseas expansion, aiming to secure supply chains for essential materials. It also calls for accelerated discussions on data security measures and strengthening the inbound investment screening system, akin to the U.S. CFIUS. Secretary General Yasutaka Nakasone said, “The important thing is to enhance its functionality and improve the accuracy of investment screening.” Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi noted on November 7, “Japan is finding itself in the midst of the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II.”
