Japan pushes deep‑sea rare‑earth extraction to reduce China dependence

Japan is accelerating a strategic deep‑sea rare‑earth program in its exclusive economic zone near Minamitori Island. The government plans industrial‑scale verification testing by 2027, targeting the collection, transport and refining of more than 350 tons of seabed mud per day, with commercial extraction slated for after fiscal year 2028. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is set to direct ministries to speed the project, boost marine‑unmanned‑vehicle development and enhance Maritime Domain Awareness using satellites and other technologies.

The initiative follows a successful pilot in early 2024 in which the research vessel Chikyū extracted rare‑earth minerals from a depth of about 6,000 metres. Japan aims to invest roughly 900 billion yen with the private sector by 2040 to secure a domestic supply of rare‑earths and manganese nodules, cutting reliance on China, which controls about 60 % of production and 90 % of refining. The policy is linked to broader security goals, including cooperation with the United States, Australia and India.

Internationally, deep‑sea mining faces strong opposition. More than 75 countries, NGOs and major corporations have called for a moratorium until 2030, citing potential environmental damage such as noise, sediment plumes, and impacts on marine species and habitats. Japan’s own environmental agencies and the International Union for Conservation of Nature have raised similar concerns, highlighting the tension between resource security and ecological preservation.