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TOKYO — China appears to be easing a de facto ban on exports of rare-earth metals to Japan that was imposed during a diplomatic row, a Cabinet minister said today.
Japanese companies say shipments have been virtually halted since September, when Japan arrested a Chinese fishing-boat captain after his boat collided with patrol boats near disputed islands.
China produces 97 percent of the global supply of rare- earth metals, which are crucial for the manufacturing of high-tech products such as cellphones, computer drives and hybrid cars.
