Japan finds strategic rare earth minerals in 6,000-metre deep ocean beds

Japan has confirmed the discovery of rare–earth–bearing sediments in 6,000-metre-deep seabed zones, following a targeted expedition aimed at reducing reliance on China for critical minerals. Officials say the operation marks the world’s first attempt to recover rare earth resources from such extreme depths.

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Kei Sato, a government spokesperson, said the samples are still undergoing evaluation. He added that the mission is expected to strengthen Japan’s economic security and long-term development strategy.

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“Details will be analysed, including exactly how much rare earth is contained. (This is) a meaningful achievement both in terms of economic security and comprehensive maritime development,” he said. The operation was conducted near Japan’s remote Minami Torishima island, an area believed to host some of the world’s largest rare earth reserves. The move is widely seen as Tokyo’s effort to reinforce resource security amid escalating tensions with Beijing.

Samples were collected by the scientific drilling vessel Chikyu, which departed last month for the Pacific site located within Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

The expedition comes as China, the world’s leading rare earth supplier, has increased pressure on Japan after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested Tokyo could respond militarily to any Chinese action against Taiwan.

Since then, Beijing has placed limitations on the shipment of so-called "dual-use" goods—items with possible military uses—to Japan. This has caused Tokyo to worry that rare earth supplies, which are essential to the sophisticated manufacturing and defence industries, may also be restricted.

Rare earths, a group of 17 hard-to-extract metals, are essential components in electric vehicles, wind turbines, hard drives and missile systems.

Estimates cited by the Nikkei business daily indicate that seabed deposits around Minami Torishima exceed 16 million tonnes, ranking it as the world’s third-largest known rare earth reserve.

The zone alone is believed to contain enough dysprosium to meet global demand for more than seven centuries, alongside nearly eight centuries’ worth of yttrium- materials vital for high-performance magnets, electronics and laser technologies.

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