Supply of rare mineral yttrium halted in Japan, stockpile to last only a few months

Concerns are growing in Japan over a deepening shortage of the rare earth element yttrium as its global supply has come to a halt.

According to Japanese officials, there is a wide imbalance between supply and demand, and existing stockpiles may last only a few months.

An official at Japan's industry ministry told AFP on Wednesday that exports of yttrium have stopped not just to Japan but worldwide. China's export controls appear to be affecting Japanese industry.

Yttrium is needed to make equipment used in electronics, LEDs, aircraft engines and semiconductor manufacturing. Its shortage could affect the technology and industrial production sectors.