April 1 : Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to agree to create a roadmap for diversifying supplies of rare earths and other critical minerals, the Nikkei reported on Wednesday. The report said that a joint statement will be issued by the two leaders, which will express concern over export restrictions on critical minerals. The Japanese and French governments aim to start a public-private project in southwestern France at year-end to refine heavy