Mongolia to Start Talks with Japan on Rare Earth

Japan and Mongolia are to launch talks on a bilateral free-trade deal, as the President of Mongolia Elbegdorj Tsakhia has arrived in Tokyo for a five-day visit. The talks include a stable supply of rare earth minerals.

Elbegdorj and Japanese Prime Minister Kan will also discuss “ways to cooperate in development of mineral resources in Mongolia, including rare earth minerals” crucial for Japan’s manufacturing of high-tech products. The program of President’s visit to Japan between November 15-19 includes talks with Kan and with the Japanese Trade Minister Akihiro Ohata, and a visit to Nippon Steel Corp.’s plant. He will also have an audience with Japanese Emperor Akihito.

President Elbegdorj is scheduled to attend Mongolia-Japan Business Forum in Tokyo and give a lecture at the University of Tokyo on natural conservation. In addition, the state head is expected to discuss economic cooperation with representatives from big firms of Japan. The First Lady Bolormaa will visit to the Cancer Center in Shizuoka Prefecture, to attend the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between National Cancer-Free Find of Mongolia and Shizuoka cancer center.

Japan has worked to strengthen ties with the resource-rich Mongolia amid the rise of their powerful neighbor China and concerns over the supply of rare earth minerals, of which Beijing controls more than 95 percent.