Japan has successfully brought up sediment packed with rare earth elements from the ocean floor at a staggering 6,000 meters deep, officials announced today — a world first in an effort to lessen Tokyo’s reliance on China for these valuable minerals.
The haul came from waters near the remote Pacific island of Minami Torishima, where a deep‑sea drilling ship named Chikyu sailed last month to explore mineral‑rich seabeds.
Government spokesman Kei Sato called the mission a “meaningful achievement” and said the sample is now being analysed to determine exactly how much rare earth content it contains. He noted the mission’s importance for both economic security and Japan’s maritime development.
Rare earths — a group of 17 metals that are tough to extract but vital to modern technology — are used in everything from electric vehicles, wind turbines, and hard drives to advanced defense systems. Until now, China has dominated the global rare earth supply chain, accounting for around two‑thirds of mining production and more than 90% of refined output, according to the International Energy Agency.
Japan’s push comes amid rising geopolitical tension between Tokyo and Beijing. China has already tightened exports of certain “dual‑use” materials to Japan, leading to concern that Beijing could similarly squeeze rare earth supplies.
The area around Minami Torishima is believed to hold significant rare earth reserves — including enough dysprosium to last more than 700 years and yttrium for nearly eight centuries, according to reports from Nikkei. If those deposits can be tapped sustainably, experts say Japan could secure a homegrown supply chain for key industries and reduce strategic risk.
“This kind of resource independence isn’t just about economics,” said Takahiro Kamisuna, a research associate at The International Institute for Strategic Studies. “It’s a strategic advantage that strengthens Japan’s position globally and makes its technology sectors more resilient.”
With this success, Japan isn’t just diving deep into the ocean — it’s diving deep into the future of global resource security, reshaping how nations might source the critical materials of tomorrow.
