The Japanese government has approved a comprehensive action plan for a closed-loop economy aimed at strengthening domestic supplies of processed metals and reducing dependence on imported raw materials, according to local media reports.
The strategy aims for combined public and private investments of about 1 trillion yen (US$7 billion) by 2030 and positions resource processing as a key element of economic security and industrial competitiveness.
With regard to steel, the Government plans to expand the availability of high-quality scrap used in the production of "green steel" with low emissions. The processing capacity of such scrap will be increased by about 2 million tons per year, along with stronger industrial scrap and waste collection systems.
Tokyo has also set clear targets to increase the share of recycled raw materials; recycled aluminum is expected to account for about 40 percent of domestic rolled aluminum production by 2030. The plan also includes investments in recycling infrastructure, including advanced sorting technology and expanded processing and smelting facilities to improve material quality and efficiency.
Japan's action reflects the tightening of global supply dynamics, with major economies stepping up efforts to provide both primary and secondary raw materials. By increasing the supply of recycled metals, Tokyo aims to increase the sustainability of the supply chain and support the transition to low-carbon industrial production.
