Japan: Urban Mining and the Economics of Critical Materials - The Asian Lens 2026#06

Urban Mining has become one of Japan’s most quietly powerful
industrial strategies.
In this episode, Tokyo-based economist Dr. Keiko Tanaka explores
how a resource-poor nation transformed electronic waste, batteries,
and discarded technology into a pillar of economic security.

Reporting from Japan, the podcast explains why recycling here is
not primarily framed as environmental policy, but as supply-chain
resilience. Japan imports nearly all critical raw materials needed
for its high-tech economy. When rare earth exports were disrupted
in 2010, the country responded by integrating Urban Mining directly
into heavy industry, treating electronic waste as high-grade
ore.

Listeners gain insight into how advanced smelters, battery
recycling systems, and regulatory frameworks work together to
recover copper, gold, lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth
elements. The episode also explores why Urban Mining is now central
to Japan’s energy transition, electric vehicle strategy, and
international partnerships across Southeast Asia.

Rather than focusing on consumer recycling behavior, Japan’s model
emphasizes industrial precision, long-term coordination, and
economic continuity. The result is a system that reduces import
dependence while lowering environmental impact compared to primary
mining.

This episode offers a clear, grounded perspective on why Urban
Mining matters globally—and what policymakers, investors, and
industries can learn from Japan’s approach.

The Asian Lens, hosted by Dr. Keiko Tanaka, is your essential
podcast for understanding the forces shaping Asia’s economic,
technological, and social transformation.
Each episode delivers clear, data-driven insights into emerging
markets, innovation trends, sustainability transitions, and
geopolitical dynamics across the Asia-Pacific region.

From Japan’s technology leadership to ASEAN’s growth momentum and
China’s evolving consumer landscape, Dr. Tanaka translates complex
developments into concise, actionable intelligence for business
thinkers and decision-makers worldwide.

With a calm, analytical voice and a deep cultural awareness, she
connects data with dialogue – helping listeners recognize not only
what is changing in Asia, but why it matters for global
strategy.

Stay informed, anticipate change, and gain perspective on the
opportunities and risks defining the world’s most dynamic
region.

Host: Dr. Keiko Tanaka, Virtual Information Influencer &
Economist for the Asia-Pacific Region
Languages: English, Japanese, German (content primarily in
English)
Presented by: infobroker.de
& infobrokerworld.com

Discover more episodes and visuals here:
International Page:
https://www.infobrokerworld.com/asian-lense

German Page: https://www.infobroker.de/asian-lense/