Japan has alerted the US that it faces a shortage of yttrium, a rare earth mineral vital for jet engines and AI chip manufacturing, with supplies expected to last only months. China controls most of the global yttrium supply and has imposed export restrictions on Japan, citing geopolitical concerns. The US currently lacks commercial facilities to produce or refine yttrium, and American rare earth stocks showed little reaction to the news. The situation highlights China's leverage over critical materials and the vulnerability of supply chains supporting advanced technology, though immediate impacts on US companies remain limited. Key developments to watch include China's export policy changes and US production milestones later in 2026.
MP Materials trades at USD 39.59 with a 1.38% gain as of Oct 21, 2026 21:51 WIB on Pluang. USA Rare Earth Inc. is priced at USD 10.21, up 1.49% in the same period. Pluang shows strong buying interest for USAR at 97% buy orders, reflecting investor focus on rare earth materials amid supply concerns.
