BookTitleToyota Tsusho 70-Year History

Summary

Toyota Tsusho 70-Year History

Story 04Rare Earth Resource and Rare MetalDevelopment?Searching for MinorMetals around the WorldThe lithium resource development projectToyota Tsusho established a Metal & Mineral Resources Department to help Japan reduce itsdependence on China for minor metals. The department embarked on lithium resource developmentin Argentina and entered the rare earth resource separation and refining business in India.Faced with unforeseen local risks and tough negotiations with people whose values so differ fromtheir own, the department’s personnel were told by management to“do what you have to do.”Vowing to do everything they could, they pushed ahead with projects in various countries aroundthe world.196