Alternative ways of raw material procurement: is the Japanese strategy applicable to the German context?

Mineral resources, rare metals in particular, have always been of crucial importance. Especially the resilient and sustainable supply of non-energetic raw materials poses major challenges, such as the use of copper within wind turbines and photovoltaic systems as well as the use of cobalt, lithium and nickel in electromobility applications.

In order to maintain economy stable and sustainable, it is absolutely necessary to guarantee the security of supply of relevant raw materials. As one of the leading technology and export nation, Germany is supposed to establish a secure supply of raw materials. As North Rhine-Westphalia is no longer a mining region, it depends on imports from overseas for most of its demand for rare metals.

Japan, facing the same challenges as Germany, developed a very special raw material security strategy including the public sector. Being a technology and industrial nation as well, it likewise depends on imports for almost all relevant natural resources. Therefore, Japan worked out strategic approaches via the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) model of "raw material storage and reserves". In addition to the supportive role, this strategy involves the political level in the supply-process through public-private cooperation.

Can this model be transferred to the German supply of raw materials? We will address this question in our webinar on January 24th, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Japanese raw material security model will be introduced via best practice examples that outline the benefits of this strategy.

We compare the German and Japanese procurement model and discuss advantages and disadvantages and hope to give you a first impulse to cooperate on the topic of raw material supply security.

The seminar will be held in German and Japanese language with simultaneous translation. Slides are in English.

After the registration you will receive the confirmation by mail. The event is organized in partnership with JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization).