US EditionJapan Says It Found Rare Earth in Sediment Retrieved on Deep-Sea Mission
Japan's deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu retrieved rare earth mud from 6,000 meters depth, aiming to reduce reliance on China, which supplies about 70% of Japan's rare earths.
- On Monday, February 2, 2026, Japan's government said it retrieved rare-earth-rich seabed mud from 6,000 metres near Minamitorishima, with the first batch lifted on February 1, by the deep-sea drilling vessel Chikyu.
- Japan relies on China for roughly 60–70% of its rare-earth imports, prompting a push for alternative supplies after Beijing blocked exports of 'dual-use' items last month.
- Prior tests in 2022 lifted mud from about 2,400 metres, and the latest trial more than doubled that depth, confirming operation under greater water pressure.
- Officials called the retrieval meaningful, with analysis to be conducted after February 15, 2026, and a report due by March 2028.
- Japan plans a full-scale test excavation in February 2027 aiming to recover up to 350 tons per day, with Minami Torishima estimated to hold more than 16 million tons of rare earths, which could secure a domestic supply chain if viable.
74 Articles
74 Articles
Japan announced on Monday, February 2, that it had discovered rare earths in deep-water sediments off the island of Minamitori-Shima in the Pacific Ocean. With this discovery, Tokyo hopes to reduce its dependence on China in terms of rare earths, strategic minerals, a project which, however, attracts strong criticism from environmentalists.
Associated Press News
Japan retrieves rare earth-rich mud from seabed to lower reliance on China
A Japanese research vessel has successfully drilled and retrieved deep-sea sediment containing rare earth minerals from the seabed near a remote island, Japan’s government announced Monday as the country seeks to reduce its reliance on China.
Japan retrieves rare earth mud from deep seabed in test mission
By Yuka Obayashi TOKYO, Feb 2 (Reuters) – Japan’s government said on Monday that it has successfully retrieved rare-earth-rich seabed mud for the first time from depths of around 6 km (4 miles) during a test mission. A Japanese scientific drill ship departed on January 12 for the remote Minamitori Island to explore rare-earth-rich mud deposits, part of Tokyo’s effort to reduce its reliance on China for critical minerals as Beijing chokes off su…
Observador
Japan wants to reduce its dependence on China on rare land, which are essential in various sectors of the economy and currently dominated by China in the global context.
Japan pursues rare earths to reduce China dependence
Japan said it would accelerate plans to mine rare earths from the deep ocean, in order to reduce reliance on China. A mining vessel has been placing equipment near a coral island 1,200 miles (1,900 kilometers) from Japan, intended to pull metal-bearing mud from the seabed for tests by early next year, and Tokyo said Monday it had successfully retrieved rare earth sediment. Rare earths are vital for defense and the energy transition, but China ac…
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