Japan urges China to resume rare earths exports
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Japan's trade minister urged China on Sunday to resume exports to Japan of crucial manufacturing materials that Japanese officials consider effectively banned since last month amid a territorial row between the two Asian powers.
Japanese companies say Beijing has blocked shipments of rare earth metals to Japan since Sept. 21 in possible retaliation for Tokyo's arrest of a Chinese fishing boat captain near disputed islands in the East China Sea. The captain was released and Beijing denies any official ban on shipments to Japan, but Japanese companies and officials say supplies have yet to resume. (AP)
