"Nikkei Asia" reported on April 23 that Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will subsidize half of the cost of mine development and key mineral smelting projects for Japanese companies for the development of lithium projects. The subsidy plan will be drawn from the 105.8 billion yen fund pool set up by the Japan Metal Energy Security Agency for related expenditures. Companies receiving subsidies will be required to operate for at least 5 years from the start of the mining and smelting process, and the key minerals produced at the same time will be given priority supply Japanese market. Japan seeks to increase its battery production to seven times its current capacity by 2030, the report said, with the subsidy program aimed at securing raw materials such as lithium, manganese, nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare earths needed for electric vehicle batteries and high-performance engines. supply chain security.