Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has announced a ¥1 trillion investment plan by 2030 to expand resource recycling infrastructure. The initiative targets metals, rare earths, plastics, and critical materials to reduce reliance on imports. 

In steel, Japan aims to add 2 million tons of annual processing capacity for high-quality scrap. The plan also seeks to raise e-waste processing to 500,000 tons per year. Recycled materials will account for 40% of aluminum production, 30% of domestically produced electrolytic copper, and 30% of materials used in rare earth-based permanent magnets.

Japan further targets securing lithium, nickel, and cobalt supplies while capturing significant shares in green steel and low-carbon aluminum markets.