Japan calls for 'smooth' trade after reports of China snags

FILEL PHOTO: In this photo taken on November 19, 2025, a view of the under-construction Xinfeng County Baogang Xinli rare earths processing plant is seen in Xinfeng County, Ganzhou, in eastern China's Jiangxi province. China has begun choking off exports of rare earths and rare-earth magnets to Japan. - AFP

TOKYO: Japan said Friday (Jan 9) that international trade should be "smooth" after media reports said China was delaying Japanese imports as well as rare-earth exports to Tokyo, as their two-month-old spat escalates.

China has ramped up pressure on its neighbour since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo may react militarily to an attack on Taiwan, which Beijing has vowed to seize control of by force if necessary.