Japan, Saudi Arabia set to agree on rare earth resources joint development, Nikkei reports – Reuters

Japan, Saudi Arabia set to agree on rare earth resources joint development, Nikkei reports – Reuters

TOKYO, July 15 (Reuters) - Japan and Saudi Arabia are expected to agree on joint investment to develop rare earth resources during Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to the Middle East starting Sunday, Nikkei reported.

Kishida plans to visit oil producers Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, as well as liquefied natural gas producer Qatar - the three major energy suppliers to resources-poor Japan - on July 16-18.

Rare earth resources are essential for decarbonisation and production of electric vehicles in particular as Japan aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050 and Saudi Arabia is also actively trying to diversify its oil-reliant economy.