Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi this week hinted at a possible shift in the country's decades-old non-nuclear principles, raising speculation that she might seek to revise a ban on the entry of such weapons into its territory. Takaichi on Monday in parliament said she could not say whether those three principles, not to possess, produce or introduce nuclear weapons into its territory, would be maintained in an upcoming revision of Japan's security strategy. Learn More

Chemicals group Solvay has agreed two deals to supply rare earths to U.S. magnet makers as it seeks to ramp up its processing plant in France. Solvay, one of a few companies outside of China capable of the complex rare earths separation, in April launched modest processing of minerals needed for permanent magnets at its French plant, but said commercial production would depend on support from customers and governments. Learn More

Toyota Motor said on Wednesday it had begun production at its $13.9 billion North Carolina battery plant as it ramps up hybrid production and confirmed plans to invest $10 billion over five years in U.S. manufacturing. The Japanese automaker first announced the plan in December 2021 to produce batteries for its hybrid and electric vehicles. Batteries from the plant are set to power hybrid versions of the Camry, Corolla Cross, RAV4 and a yet-to-be-announced all-electric three