Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced the EU's intention to forge a 'Competitiveness Alliance' with Japan, focusing on cooperation in the mining of rare earth elements. This strategic move, she emphasized, is designed to strengthen the partnership between the EU and Japan, address prevailing global challenges, and collaboratively shape the future landscape. During her visit to Japan, von der Leyen introduced this concept, aiming to secure supply chains for crucial materials through intensified cooperation.