Japan Expands Urban Mining Efforts with E-Waste Imports from ASEAN

Japan has announced plans to increase imports of used electronic devices from countries within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to promote urban mining, a method for extracting rare metals from electronic waste. The initiative aims to enhance trade between ASEAN nations and Japanese companies while fostering sustainable resource management.

The government outlined a strategy that includes providing technical guidance on collecting and dismantling e-waste to nations such as Indonesia and four other ASEAN members. Additionally, Japan plans to support these countries in establishing legal frameworks for managing e-waste processing.

Urban mining involves recovering valuable materials like copper and rare metals from discarded electronic devices, including computers and smartphones, which can then be reused. As a resource-scarce nation, Japan depends heavily on imports for rare metals. The country has leveraged its advanced technologies for removing impurities and recovering essential metals to support its e-waste recycling initiatives.

In 2019, Japan recycled 361,000 tons of material from used electronic devices—the highest volume among OECD member nations—but progress has since stagnated. To boost recycling rates, Japan intends to strengthen its import system by sourcing materials from ASEAN countries.

ASEAN nations currently lack the legal frameworks and advanced technologies needed for e-waste collection and processing. To address this, Japan has committed to providing both legal and technological assistance. The effort will help prevent environmental pollution in these regions while establishing a stable supply chain for urban mining resources.

Since the previous fiscal year, Japan has offered technical support to ASEAN countries and plans to extend legal assistance to Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam beginning this fiscal year. Imports of e-waste from these nations are expected to commence by fiscal 2028.

Currently, approximately 60% of Japan’s e-waste imports come from Europe and North America. However, with the European Union emphasizing recycling within its borders, Japan sees ASEAN as a critical alternative source for imports. The government has also outlined plans to achieve a circular economy by exporting products made from recycled metals, ensuring efficient resource use and waste reduction.

This initiative underscores Japan’s commitment to transitioning toward a circular economy while addressing global environmental challenges and strengthening economic security.

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