With the trip to Japan and Korea, has anyone got any bets on who...

With the trip to Japan and Korea, has anyone got any bets on who Chris is having meetings with?

List of all Japanese Battery Companies:
Panasonic Corporation
Maxell, Ltd.
GS Yuasa International Ltd
NGK Insulators Ltd.
Toshiba Corporation
KYOCERA
MurataJB Battery
Mitsubishi
ELILY-Power
EV Energy

Out of the list only 4 stand out:

Panasonic Corporation: As a major battery supplier, especially for electric vehicles, Panasonic has shown interest in securing stable lithium supplies. While specific investments in lithium mines have not been prominently highlighted, their partnership with Tesla, which is actively involved in securing lithium sources, indirectly ties them to lithium supply strategies.

Toshiba Corporation: Toshiba, known for its rechargeable battery technology, has not made high-profile investments in lithium mining but is significantly affected by the lithium market's fluctuations due to its battery production.

GS Yuasa International Ltd: GS Yuasa has been involved in battery technology that may require lithium. They have explored various avenues to ensure a steady supply of necessary materials, including lithium, though direct investments in lithium mining are not widely publicized.

Mitsubishi Corporation: Mitsubishi is one of the conglomerates more directly involved in raw material sourcing, including for batteries. They have a broad portfolio that could include partnerships or stakes in mining operations, though specific lithium mining investments would need to be confirmed through current business reports.

South Korea
There is only 4 major players in Korea:

LG Energy Solution - LG Energy Solution has been particularly proactive in securing lithium supplies to support its battery manufacturing. They have made strategic investments and formed partnerships to secure lithium directly from mining operations. For instance, they have entered into agreements with mining companies in Australia and South America to ensure a stable supply of lithium.

Samsung SDI - Samsung SDI has also been involved in securing lithium supplies, though their strategy often involves partnerships with other companies and strategic investments in the supply chain. Samsung SDI tends to focus more on technological partnerships and securing advanced materials for battery production.

SK Innovation - SK Innovation has made significant moves to secure lithium by investing directly in mining projects and signing long-term supply agreements. They are actively investing in lithium mining operations to secure resources essential for their expanding battery production capabilities.

POSCO Chemical - POSCO, through POSCO Chemical, has been very active in securing raw materials for battery production. POSCO Chemical has invested in lithium mining and processing facilities, particularly in Australia and Argentina, to ensure a steady supply of lithium. They are also developing lithium extraction technologies to enhance their supply chain efficiency.

If i were to guess, id pick POSCO & GS Yuasa.