日本在吉爾吉斯探査稀有金屬

In July the NHK News on-line reported the following:

レアメタル キルギスで埋蔵状況調査へ
7月10日 4時17分

希少な金属、レアメタルの中国への依存度を下げ、調達先を増やしていこうと、経済産業省の傘下にある独立行政法人が初めて、中央アジアのキルギスで埋蔵状況の調査を実施することが明らかになりました。

調査を行うのは、経済産業省の傘下にあるＪＯＧＭＥＣ＝石油天然ガス・金属鉱物資源機構です。
関係者によりますと、キルギスでは電子機器や住宅の建材などに使われるレアメタルの一種アンチモンが採掘されてきたことから、ＪＯＧＭＥＣは来週初めてキルギスで現地調査を行い、アンチモンと自動車産業で使われるタングステンについて、東部の山岳地帯を中心に埋蔵状況を詳しく調べることにしています。
日本はレアメタルのほとんどを中国から輸入していることから、中国への依存度を下げ調達先を増やす動きとして注目されます。
一方のキルギスは国境を接する中国と経済面で強い結び付きを持っていますが、ことし２月に日本を訪れたアタムバーエフ大統領は、ＮＨＫとのインタビューで「民主主義を目指すキルギスとしては、日本のような発展した民主主義国家との関係も重要だ」と述べていて、今回のレアメタル調査を日本との関係強化に乗り出す第一歩にしたいという思惑があるとみられます。

(試譯文)

For the purpose of reducing the dependence on China for rare metal (reametaru) and increasing the suppliers, it became clear that an independent administrative agency which existed under the influence of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, for the first time, to investigate the deposit situation in Kyrgyz in Central Asia.

That investigation was done by JOGMEC= Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation which existed under the control of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

According to the related people in Kyrgyz the rare metal antimony, used in the electronic device and in the residence building materials etc., had been mined. JOGMEC’s investigation was centering on the mountain range in the eastern part, checking detailed deposit situation of tungsten and antimony which could be used in the auto industry. A field survey would be performed for the first time in Kyrgyz next week.

Since Japan had been importing most of its rare metals from China, it attracted attention and caused a movement to lower its dependence on China and to increase suppliers.

Although Kyrgyz had strong financial connection with China which was connected by the same border, President Atamubaefu, who visited Japan in February this year, in an interview with NHK had described that "as Kyrgyz aims at democracy, a relation with a democratic developed state like Japan is also important". It was expected that there was an intention to conduct this rare metal investigation as the first step to strengthen ties with Japan.

Rare metal is important for Japan in the production of electronic device etc. It is natural for Japan to develop good relationship with Kyrgyz.