Australia and Japan have agreed to strengthen their cooperation on critical minerals, with the aim of building more resilient and stable supply chains over the long term.
In May 2026, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi issued a Joint Statement on Elevated Critical Minerals Cooperation.
The Joint Statement makes critical minerals a core pillar of the two countries’ economic and national security relationship. It will drive coordinated investment in strategic projects to address the most urgent supply chain vulnerabilities in mining, refining and downstream manufacturing in Australia and Japan.
As well as enabling greater access to capital and technology, the partnership will create stronger commercial linkages for Australian producers – matched with Japanese industry demand. This latest cooperation builds on the Australia-Japan Critical Minerals Partnership, launched in 2022.
The Australian Government – through the Critical Minerals Facility and Export Finance Australia – is providing support of up to A$1.3 billion to critical mineral projects with Japanese involvement. This includes non-binding Letters of Support.
The two governments have already identified six key projects that have the potential to materially diversify the supply chains for critical minerals.
‘We are committed to working with Japan to develop Australia’s critical minerals sector and support resilient supply chains between our countries and in our region,’ says Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell.
‘Developing our critical minerals is a key national priority under our Future Made in Australia agenda, and we can achieve this by working closely with Japan, a trusted and longstanding partner.’
Critical minerals delegation seeks opportunities
Following the Joint Statement on Elevated Critical Minerals Cooperation, Minister Farrell travelled to Japan to further strengthen Australia’s trade and investment relationships and advance energy and economic security outcomes. He met with Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ryosei Akazawa at the sixth Australia-Japan Ministerial Economic Dialogue.
At the meeting, both ministers confirmed they would continue working together to support the development of strategic projects which address urgent vulnerabilities in critical minerals mining, refining and downstream manufacturing in Japan and Australia. The ministers further affirmed their bilateral cooperation to enhance supply chain resilience. The Japan-Australia Ministerial Economic Dialogue Joint Ministerial Statement is available here.
During this visit, Minister Farrell also took the opportunity to meet with a delegation of seven Australian critical minerals companies. Hosted by Austrade, the companies were in Japan to explore opportunities and partnerships for their rare earth elements, mineral sands and tungsten projects.
Austrade hosted a hybrid seminar and briefing at the Embassy in Tokyo for the delegation, showcasing their projects to potential Japanese partners and investors. Nearly 50 Japanese company representatives attended in person, with another 40 online.
Minister Farrell opened the event, highlighting opportunities for Australia and Japan to deepen cooperation on resilient critical minerals supply chains, based on trusted partnership and a shared commitment to economic security.
Australia’s Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell with members of the critical minerals delegation and Austrade. Photo credit: Miguel Gallagher.
Australia’s critical minerals opportunities
Australia is home to some of the world’s largest reserves of critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt and rare earths.
The latest Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus showcases 78 projects across 60 companies, reflecting the depth of critical minerals opportunities in Australia. The prospectus profiles 49 mines and 29 midstream processing projects ready for investment.
There is strong support for critical minerals projects in Australia, with up to A$28 billion in government support to build the country’s critical minerals sector and strengthen global supply chains. The support includes the A$1.2 billion Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, the A$4 billion Critical Minerals Facility and the Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive.
Learn more about investing in and sourcing critical minerals from Australia.
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