1. Japanese trading house, Sojitz Corporation, has initiated the import of heavy rare earths from Western Australia, marking the first such move by a Japanese firm.
2. The imported elements are dysprosium and terbium, essential for producing powerful magnets in electric vehicles and industrial robots.
3. This move is significant due to China's dominance in rare earth production (70%) and its occasional export restrictions, which can lead to supply chain disruptions, as seen with Suzuki Motor's vehicle production halt in May.