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Japan Taps Deep Sea Riches for Rare Earths
2 Feb
Summary
- Japan's deep-sea vessel Chikyu retrieved rare earth sediment at 6,000 metres.
- The retrieved sample is estimated to contain vast reserves of critical minerals.
- This mission aims to reduce Japan's reliance on China for rare earth supplies.
Japan has achieved a significant milestone in its quest for energy and mineral security, with its deep-sea drilling vessel, Chikyu, retrieving sediment rich in rare earth elements from a depth of 6,000 meters. This successful mission, conducted near the remote island of Minami Torishima in the Pacific, is a world-first attempt to tap these valuable resources at such extreme ocean depths.
The Japanese government highlighted the retrieval as a "meaningful achievement" for both economic security and comprehensive maritime development. The targeted area around Minami Torishima is estimated to hold substantial reserves, potentially sufficient for centuries of demand for critical minerals like dysprosium and yttrium, which are essential for high-tech industries.
This development is particularly timely as Japan seeks to diversify its sources and reduce its heavy reliance on China, which currently dominates global rare earth production and has previously used its supply as geopolitical leverage. Successfully extracting these resources domestically could fortify Japan's key industries and significantly reduce its supply chain vulnerability.
Rare earth elements, a group of 17 metals, are indispensable components in modern technology, from electric vehicles and wind turbines to smartphones and defense systems. China's near-monopoly in mining and refining these materials underscores the strategic importance of Japan's deep-sea exploration efforts.
