Japan and EU to Launch 2+2 Economic Talks Focusing on Joint Rare Earths Procurement

Japan and the European Union have agreed to initiate a new economic dialogue framework known as the 2+2 talks, according to reports from Nikkei. This dialogue aims to enhance economic cooperation between the two parties and will notably include discussions on the joint procurement of rare earth elements. The move is seen as a step to elevate bilateral ties and address supply chain concerns related to these critical materials.