Japan has confirmed the presence of large deposits of rare earth elements in deep-sea sediments near its remote Minami-Torishima Island in the western Pacific, and in January launched the world’s first test to extract these minerals from the ocean floor.
The discovery stems from decades of geological surveys within Japan’s exclusive economic zone around Minami-Torishima, a coral atoll about 1,900 kilometers southeast of Tokyo.
Oceanographic research from past sampling showed mud layers on the seabed at depths between 5,600 meters and 5,800 meters that contain high concentrations of rare earth oxides, indicating rich deposits of rare earth elements and yttrium.
The studied area’s total mineralized sediment is estimated at more than 16 million metric tons, ranking it among the largest known deep-sea rare earth resources.
Japan’s government says the find could reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign sources for these critical minerals, which are essential in electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, defense systems and high-tech manufacturing.
Historic Mining Trial Underway
In mid-January, the deep-sea scientific drilling vessel Chikyū departed Japanese waters to conduct a monthlong deep-sea mining test off Minami-Torishima.
Operated by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), the mission is designed to continuously bring rare earth-rich mud from approximately 6,000 meters below the ocean surface onto the vessel for analysis and engineering evaluation.
Officials told reporters that this operation, scheduled to run from January 11 to February 14, 2026, is the first time a sustained attempt has been made anywhere in the world to extract rare earth elements directly from deep-sea mud.
The goal is to confirm the technical viability of pumping sediment through a riser system and to monitor environmental impacts both onboard the vessel and at the seafloor.
Program director Shoichi Ishii said the immediate objective is to test the mining system’s ability to lift as much as 350 metric tonnes of mud per day from the abyssal plain and verify the integrity of equipment under real operational conditions.
There is no commercial production target yet, but a larger follow-on trial is planned for 2027 if the current phase succeeds.
Strategic Supply Chain Goals
Japan’s push into deep-sea mineral extraction comes amid wider concerns about secure access to critical minerals.
The nation has long relied on foreign imports, especially from China, for rare earth elements. Tokyo estimates that more than 60 percent of its supplies still come from China, despite diversification efforts following export restrictions imposed by Beijing in past disputes.
Rare earth elements are a group of 17 metallic elements that include neodymium and dysprosium, vital for permanent magnets in electric motors and wind turbines, as well as yttrium and others used in electronics and defense equipment.
By establishing a domestic source, Japanese policymakers aim to strengthen supply resilience for key industries and reduce vulnerability to geopolitical tensions that could disrupt imports.
Environmental and Technical Challenges
Deep-sea mining remains controversial. Environmental groups have raised alarms about potential damage to fragile marine ecosystems, disturbance of seafloor habitats and the spread of sediment plumes that could affect food chains.
Japanese researchers and government officials have said environmental monitoring will be integral to the trial, with real-time assessments of seabed conditions and onboard analysis.
Technical hurdles are significant, given the extreme depths and the need to develop reliable riser and pump systems capable of operating under high pressure.
