Japan and the United States are moving forward with an ambitious deep-sea mining project in the Pacific Ocean, aiming to weaken China's dominance in rare earth elements. The project centers on the area around Minamitorishima Island, located about 1,600 kilometers from Tokyo.
A strategic reserve of 16 million tons
The deposit was identified about 6 kilometers below the ocean surface. Research shows the area holds more than 16 million tons of rare earth minerals. Based on 2018 data, the reserve alone could meet global demand for 780 years of yttrium, 620 years of europium, 420 years of terbium and 730 years of dysprosium.
Minamitorishima is Japan's easternmost point and is closed to civilian settlement. The exclusive economic zone around the island covers an area larger than the country's total land area.
China controls 90 percent of the market
China holds 90 percent of the global market in heavy rare earth elements, which are critical for high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, and uses that advantage as a political tool. In the past, Beijing's suspension of dysprosium and terbium exports to Japan highlighted Japanese industry's dependence on raw materials.
China has also carried out exploration activities within the boundaries of the island's exclusive economic zone, raising regional tensions. Japan has turned to cooperation with the United States as a solution.
A difficult test at 6,000 meters
Japan brings its experience in deep-sea research to the project, while the United States will contribute advanced drilling expertise from the oil and gas sector through companies such as Deep Reach Technology. Working at a depth of 6,000 meters, where pressure reaches 600 times that at sea level, is seen as the biggest technical challenge.
According to the schedule, a one-month full-scale mining test involving refining and melting extracted material will take place in February 2027. After the tests, Japan is expected to clarify its commercial production plan by 2028. Commercial production is expected to extend beyond 10 years, while Japan plans to allocate $5.7 billion in public and private financing by 2040 to develop deep-sea resources as part of its long-term growth strategy.
