On Japan’s Mineral Resource Policy

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to organize Japanʼs metallic mineral resource policy. Firstly, the concerns in the current metallic mineral markets are summarized and then the policy trends are organized based on how each policy corresponds to the concerns. The main objective of the policies remains the same: to secure the stable supply of these resources. However, in response to the recent social demand that such raw material procurement should not be a disincentive to sustainability, the specifics of supply risk have changed to address this issue as a policy matter. In addition, the importance of mineral resource policy for the society was demonstrated by looking for points of contact with valuation studies such as LCA and MFA.