Japan Initiates World's First Deep-Sea Rare Earth Mining Test to Reduce China Reliance

Historic Deep-Sea Expedition Underway

Japan has embarked on a groundbreaking mission, launching the world's first test to extract rare earth elements from deep-sea mud. The government-backed scientific drilling vessel, Chikyu, set sail around January 12, 2026, for waters near Minamitori Island, a remote coral atoll approximately 1,900 kilometers southeast of Tokyo. This ambitious undertaking aims to retrieve rare earth-rich sludge from an unprecedented depth of 6,000 meters, equivalent to about four miles below the Pacific seabed. The test cruise is scheduled to conclude around February 14, 2026.

Strategic Move to Bolster Mineral Security

The primary driver behind this initiative is Japan's strategic imperative to reduce its significant reliance on China for critical rare earth minerals. These 17 metals are indispensable for a wide array of modern technologies, including:

• Electric vehicles
• Smartphones
• Wind turbines
• Military equipment

Japan's vulnerability in this sector has been highlighted by China's tightening control over rare earth exports and recent restrictions on dual-use items. While Japan has already reduced its dependence on Chinese rare earth imports from 90% to approximately 60% since 2010, the Minamitori Island project marks its first attempt to source these vital minerals domestically.

Vast Reserves and Future Plans

The area surrounding Minamitori Island, located within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), is believed to harbor substantial rare earth deposits. Estimates suggest the presence of over 16 million tons of rare earths, positioning it as the third-largest reserve globally. These deposits include an estimated 730 years' worth of dysprosium and 780 years' worth of yttrium, both crucial for high-strength magnets and lasers, respectively.

The government has invested approximately ¥40 billion ($250 million) in the project since 2018. If the current test proves successful, a full-scale demonstration is planned by February 2027. The extracted mud will not be processed at sea but will be transported to Minamitori Island for initial seawater removal, reducing its volume by about 80%, before being shipped to mainland Japan for final separation and refining.

Environmental Considerations and Technological Prowess

Operating at such extreme depths presents significant engineering challenges, with equipment needing to withstand pressures exceeding 600 atmospheres. The Chikyu vessel, originally designed for scientific research, has been adapted with advanced dynamic positioning systems to maintain stability during extraction.

The initiative has drawn attention from environmental groups and Pacific nations, who have voiced concerns about potential impacts on marine ecosystems, including habitat destruction, heavy metal contamination, and sediment plumes. However, Japanese researchers contend that deep-sea mining in this context could be cleaner than land-based alternatives, producing fewer radioactive by-products. The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is currently working on regulatory frameworks for deep-sea mining.