Japan advances circular economy through mineral recycling and local resource initiatives

Japan is intensifying efforts to transition from traditional 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) practices to a robust circular economy. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has set a macro goal to source approximately 30% of the raw materials for permanent magnets through recycling by 2030 to mitigate geopolitical risks and supply chain dependencies.

To address the “chicken and egg” problem—where supply uncertainty hinders demand and vice versa—the government is implementing the revised Act on the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources. This includes mandating manufacturers to set and report recycling targets for specific products. Industry leaders from JX Metals and Hitachi, Ltd. are discussing how to make recycling a profitable business model rather than just an environmental obligation, noting that recycled materials often struggle to compete with virgin materials in terms of cost and quality.

At the local level, Kyoto City is launching a demonstration project in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment. The initiative focuses on enhancing resource circulation by collecting and recycling plastic storage cases and down bedding, while also facilitating the reuse of clothing and toys to reduce bulky waste and improve resource efficiency.