After ceding the rare earth market to China, the US is playing catch-up as it tries to loosen Beijing’s grip on global supply chains for these minerals. These are critical to manufacturing everything - from smartphones to wind turbines and missile defence systems. Arnold Gay speaks to Executive Producer Pearl Forss and Senior Correspondent Leong Wai Kit, to see what it would take to wean the world off China’s rare earth minerals.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan plans to restart the world's biggest nuclear plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, sending nuclear power back to Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima accident. The plant has been offline for more than a decade amid safety concerns and mistrust of operator TEPCO. Supporters say Japan needs the energy. Critics argue that the risks remain. Genevieve Woo speaks with Senior Correspondent Michiyo Ishida to find out if Japan is ready to deal with any nuclear fallout.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Japan retreated from occupied lands after its surrender in World War II, a large group of Japanese citizens was painfully repatriated to a land they didn’t identify as home. They are the wansei, those who were born in Taiwan during the 50 years of colonisation. Genevieve Woo speaks to Michiyo Ishida and Victoria Jen about their quest to meet the surviving wansei and others whose lives were changed during this period of history.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.