Japan Successfully Drills for Deep-Sea Rare Earth Minerals

A Japanese research vessel has successfully drilled and retrieved deep-sea sediment containing rare earth minerals from the seabed near a remote island.

A Historic Retrieval

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced the retrieval by the deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu, which gathered sediment at a depth of nearly 6,000 kilometers near Minamitorishima island.

Takaichi stated this test retrieval is a world first and a step toward industrialization of domestically produced rare earth in Japan, aiming to achieve resilient supply chains and avoid overdependence on a single country.

Context and Strategic Significance

China currently controls a majority of global heavy rare earth production, which are crucial for magnets in defense and electric vehicle industries. Recent tensions, including Takaichi's comments on potential Japanese involvement in a Chinese military action against Taiwan, have raised concerns about rare earth supply.

Years of Research and Development

Japan previously discovered rich deposits of critical minerals, including high-concentration rare earths, around Minamitorishima in the 2010s. The country has been conducting research, development, and feasibility studies on these deposits under the Strategic Innovation Promotion Program.

Future Steps for Industrialization

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Masanao Ozaki stated the successful retrieval is a meaningful achievement for economic security and comprehensive ocean development.

Ozaki indicated that industrialization of rare earth mud mining requires demonstrating the entire process from mining to separation and refining, alongside verifying its economic viability.

Officials also noted that details regarding the amount of rare earth contained still require analysis.

Operation Timeline

The Chikyu departed for Minamitorishima, located approximately 1,950 kilometers southeast of Tokyo, last month. It arrived at the mining site on January 17, with the first batch of rare earth sediment retrieved on February 1, according to Japan's Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology.