Japan to Start Test Mining Rare Earths from Seabed in 2026

このページを日本語で読む

Amid the prolonged United States–China trade standoff, interest in rare earths is rising. China, the world's largest producer, has used export restrictions to pressure the United States, causing real-world disruptions. At one point, Japanese automakers were forced to halt production. To reduce reliance on China, Japan plans to begin trial mining in January 2026 on the seabed off Minamitorishima, its easternmost territory.

Trial Excavation

"It's important to have a supply source ready to operate at any time in case rare earth shipments to Japan are cut off," says Shoichi Ishii, program director of the Cabinet Office's Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP), which oversees the government-led project. The deposits lie about 6,000 meters (19,685 ft) deep.

A 6,000-meter pipe for lifting rare-earth–rich mud from the seabed was delivered at the end of May. Furthermore, a remotely operated vehicle is due to arrive from Norway in August. If it comes on schedule, the next step will be to load the equipment onto a research vessel, followed by operational checks.

*Based on data from the United States Geological Survey

Discovery and Potential

The deposits off Minamitorishima were discovered in 2012. Some researchers estimate the reserves could meet global demand for centuries. SIP, however, describes them only as "potentially viable for industrial-scale development." The project will assess economic feasibility after pilot mining in the first half of fiscal 2027.

Partnerships and Private Sector Efforts

Efforts to secure domestic rare earth supplies are gaining momentum. In July, Japan agreed with the European Union to strengthen supply chains, with joint mining also under consideration. In the private sector, Nissan Motor and Waseda University are co-developing rare-earth recycling technology. They aim to commercialize it around 2030.

China's dominance in the sector looms large in the background. In April, in retaliation for the Trump administration's high tariffs, Beijing tightened export controls on rare earths. This temporarily halted production at automakers in Japan, the US, and Europe. Washington was forced to scale back planned tariff hikes. This fueled the perception that it had "given in" to China, underscoring the strategic importance of rare earths.

Lessons from the Past

Japan had a bitter experience in 2010, when a Chinese fishing boat collided with Japanese patrol vessels near the Senkaku Islands, leading to an effective Chinese export ban. "It could happen again at any time," warns Ishii. Although Japan has moved faster than Western nations to diversify its suppliers, about 60% of its rare earth imports still come from China.

"Some heavy rare earths, scarcer and more valuable than light varieties, can only be mined in China," notes Professor Kazuto Suzuki of the University of Tokyo, who is knowledgeable about economic security.

The Minamitorishima deposits are thought to be rich in these elements. However, extracting and refining them will require costly operations and advanced technology. "We'll need to develop the necessary technology to meet these challenges," Suzuki says.