Back in March, the U.S., Europe and Japan issued a WTO complaint against China’s mineral export policies. The complaint raised awareness of global resource needs, but accomplished little else. Rather than waiting for further action, as the U.S. seems content to do, Japan has taken matters into its own hands. The Japanese have partnered with Kazakhstan to develop the rare earths they were previously getting from China.

Japan’s proactive attitude towards mineral policy is exactly what the U.S. lacks. America needs to develop a comprehensive mineral strategy and sever dependence on foreign suppliers before it’s too late.