Chinese media outlet China News Service made a post on its official SNS account on the 8th, stating, "Japan has started collecting garbage for rare earths."

Citing Japanese reports, China News Service introduced that Japan is advancing initiatives to collect discarded air conditioners and extract rare earths from them in an effort to resolve its rare earth shortage. It also reported that "voices are rising within Japan, self-deprecatingly saying, 'Japan has finally reached a situation where it must collect garbage.'"

Furthermore, it pointed out that "rare earths are a vital resource, often called the 'vitamins of modern industry,' and over 70% of the rare earths imported by Japan, and almost 100% of its heavy rare earths, depend on Chinese production." It explained that "ever since Japan's right-wing forces began promoting rearmament, China has strengthened export controls on dual-use items for Japan, based on its laws and regulations."

It then claimed that "Japan, facing the pain of rare earth shortages, is searching for new mineral resources around the world, but is in a situation where 'distant water cannot extinguish a fire close at hand.'" It further argued, "What Japan truly lacks is not rare earths, but a calm stance of confronting history squarely and upholding peace."

Comments from Chinese netizens include: 'How many rare earths can they dig up (from discarded air conditioners) with a land area the size of Japan?' '(By collecting them for rare earths) Japan won't even have air conditioners left.' 'Let's remember Matsune-yu (pine root oil, which was extracted to address fuel shortages during wartime but never materialized for practical use). That's unique to Japan.' 'We should further strengthen export controls. We don't need to hold back against Japan.' 'Japan has been promoting a strategy to diversify rare earth supply sources since 2009. Given that 17 years have already passed since then, you can guess what that means.'