Press Release
August 25, 2026
- Global Environment
- Waste & Recycling
Event Report on the “India-Japan Economic Security Conference on Strengthening Critical Mineral Supply Chains through Recycling”
On August 21, 2026, the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan in India, hosted the “India-Japan Economic Security Conference on Strengthening Critical Mineral Supply Chains through Recycling” in New Delhi, India.
TSUJI Kiyoto, State Minister of the Environment of Japan, attended the meeting and, in his opening remarks, highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between Japan and India, as well as among like-minded countries, to build resilient critical mineral supply chains, and expressed his expectation for further strengthening economic security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
■Outline of the “India-Japan Economic Security Conference on Strengthening Critical Mineral Supply Chains through Recycling”
Date: August 21, 2026
Venue: Embassy of Japan in India, New Delhi, India
Organizers: Ministry of the Environment of Japan, Embassy of Japan in India
In recent years, ensuring the diversification and resilience of critical mineral supply chains has become an increasingly important economic security challenge. In particular, the recovery and recycling of critical minerals contained in e-waste are gaining importance as alternative sources of critical minerals. In India as well, establishing an ecosystem that promotes the recovery and recycling of critical minerals has become an urgent priority.
To address these challenges, the Conference invited representatives from both the public and private sectors to participate in panel discussions on promoting critical mineral recycling. The event also featured one-on-one business matchmaking sessions among participating companies from Japan, India, and like-minded partner countries with the aim of fostering greater collaboration among industry stakeholders.
In May 2026, the “QUAD Critical Minerals Initiative Framework”, issued at the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in New Delhi, affirmed the commitment of the QUAD partners (The United States, Japan, Australia, and India) to cooperate on the recovery and recycling of critical minerals. Furthermore, in July 2026, in the “Japan-India Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation”, issued on the occasion of the Japan-India Leaders’ Meeting, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan and H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India announced that Japan and India would establish an ecosystem by facilitating the collection and recycling of e-waste to enhance the recovery of critical minerals across relevant supply chains. This conference is fully aligned with the direction of cooperation set forth by the Governments of Japan and India as well as the QUAD partners.
The conference brought together representatives from more than 65 companies, including those from Japan and India, with around 130 participants in attendance. Active discussions and business matching sessions were held throughout the event. It is expected that the conference will further strengthen collaboration among companies in Japan, India, and like-minded partner countries, and contribute to addressing the shared challenge of diversifying and strengthening the resilience of critical mineral supply chains through recycling.
■Bilateral Meetings with Relevant Government Ministries
TSUJI Kiyoto, State Minister of the Environment of Japan, held separate bilateral meetings with H.E. Mr. Bhupender Yadav, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India; H.E. Mr. G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of Mines; and representatives of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of India, where they exchanged views on the circular economy and the recycling of critical minerals, among other topics.
Date: August 21, 2026
Venue: Embassy of Japan in India, New Delhi, India
Organizers: Ministry of the Environment of Japan, Embassy of Japan in India
In recent years, ensuring the diversification and resilience of critical mineral supply chains has become an increasingly important economic security challenge. In particular, the recovery and recycling of critical minerals contained in e-waste are gaining importance as alternative sources of critical minerals. In India as well, establishing an ecosystem that promotes the recovery and recycling of critical minerals has become an urgent priority.
To address these challenges, the Conference invited representatives from both the public and private sectors to participate in panel discussions on promoting critical mineral recycling. The event also featured one-on-one business matchmaking sessions among participating companies from Japan, India, and like-minded partner countries with the aim of fostering greater collaboration among industry stakeholders.
In May 2026, the “QUAD Critical Minerals Initiative Framework”, issued at the Japan-Australia-India-U.S. (Quad) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in New Delhi, affirmed the commitment of the QUAD partners (The United States, Japan, Australia, and India) to cooperate on the recovery and recycling of critical minerals. Furthermore, in July 2026, in the “Japan-India Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation”, issued on the occasion of the Japan-India Leaders’ Meeting, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan and H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India announced that Japan and India would establish an ecosystem by facilitating the collection and recycling of e-waste to enhance the recovery of critical minerals across relevant supply chains. This conference is fully aligned with the direction of cooperation set forth by the Governments of Japan and India as well as the QUAD partners.
The conference brought together representatives from more than 65 companies, including those from Japan and India, with around 130 participants in attendance. Active discussions and business matching sessions were held throughout the event. It is expected that the conference will further strengthen collaboration among companies in Japan, India, and like-minded partner countries, and contribute to addressing the shared challenge of diversifying and strengthening the resilience of critical mineral supply chains through recycling.
■Bilateral Meetings with Relevant Government Ministries
TSUJI Kiyoto, State Minister of the Environment of Japan, held separate bilateral meetings with H.E. Mr. Bhupender Yadav, Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India; H.E. Mr. G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of Mines; and representatives of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs of India, where they exchanged views on the circular economy and the recycling of critical minerals, among other topics.