Japan has successfully retrieved sediment containing rare earth elements from a depth of approximately 6,000 meters below the ocean’s surface, in what the government says is the first mission of its kind anywhere in the world. The effort is part of Tokyo’s broader strategy to reduce its heavy dependence on China for these critical minerals.
The rare earth‑laden sample was collected by the deep‑sea scientific drilling vessel Chikyu, which departed last month for waters near the remote Pacific island of Minami Torishima. Japan believes the seafloor around this island holds significant mineral wealth.
According to government spokesman Kei Sato, the next steps will include detailed analysis to determine how much rare earth material the retrieved sediment contains. He characterized the mission as a meaningful accomplishment not only for Japan’s economic security but also for advancing maritime research and development.
Rare earth elements — a set of 17 metals — are essential in modern technology, playing a crucial role in products from electric vehicles and wind turbines to hard drives and advanced defense systems. Extracting them is often challenging because they are not found in concentrated deposits in the Earth’s crust.
Japan’s move comes amid growing tensions with China, which currently dominates global rare earth supply. China has previously restricted exports of materials with potential military applications, deepening concerns in Japan about the reliability of international supply chains.
Estimates suggest that the seabed near Minami Torishima, which lies within Japan’s exclusive economic zone, could hold more than 16 million tons of rare earth elements — potentially one of the largest reserves in the world. According to business reports, this region may contain hundreds of years’ worth of specific materials such as dysprosium and yttrium, which are used in magnets and high‑tech equipment.
Experts say that if Japan can sustainably extract these resources, it would greatly enhance the nation’s technological independence — especially for key industries — and reduce its strategic reliance on foreign sources.
