Abstract
In order for Japan which is poor in mineral resources to continue on the basis of international trade, it is necessary that Japan should secure the stable supply of mineral resources from overseas. Seeing in this light, this paper took up Co, Ni, Cr, Mo, W and V which are strategic materials and also the alloying elements of tool steel, and described for the progress of tool steel production, the role of these metals in the production of tool steel, the maldistribution of the mineral resources, the change in the production and prices of these metals, and the necessity of storing them.
