Japan Initiates Pioneering Deep Seabed Rare Earth Mining Test Near Minamitorishima Island

Historic Deep-Sea Extraction Effort Underway

Japan has launched a groundbreaking, month-long test operation to extract rare-earth-rich mud from the deep seabed off Minamitorishima Island. This ambitious endeavor, led by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), marks the world's first attempt to continuously lift material from approximately 6,000 meters below the ocean's surface. The test, scheduled from January 11 to February 14, is a critical step in Japan's strategy to secure a stable supply of vital minerals.

The remote Minamitorishima Island, located about 1,900 kilometers (1,180 miles) southeast of Tokyo within Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), is known to harbor significant deposits of rare earth elements.

Strategic Imperative for Critical Minerals

This deep-sea mining test is part of the Cabinet Office's Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP) and underscores Japan's urgent need to diversify its rare earth supply chains. China currently dominates the global production of these critical minerals, which are essential for high-tech industries, including electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced electronics. Shoichi Ishii, a program director at SIP, stated that 'One of our missions is to build a supply chain for domestically produced rare earths to ensure stable supply of minerals essential to industry.'

The project, which has received approximately 40 billion yen ($256 million) in government funding since 2018, aims to strengthen Japan's maritime and economic security.

Technology and Environmental Considerations

The operation utilizes the deep-sea scientific research vessel Chikyu. A specialized system will extend a long pipe from the vessel to the seabed, connecting it with a cylindrical excavator device. Water circulation within this contraption is designed to carry drilled sediment onboard, preventing its spread across the ocean floor. The test's objective is to confirm the system's ability to raise 350 metric tonnes of rare-earth-rich mud per day.

The rare earth mud contains valuable elements such as neodymium and dysprosium, crucial for high-performance magnets, as well as terbium and yttrium. Environmental impacts will be closely monitored both onboard the vessel and on the seabed throughout the operation.

Future Prospects and Geopolitical Context

The rare earth deposits near Minamitorishima were initially discovered in 2012, with expanded surveys by 2018 estimating reserves of 16 million tons, potentially providing hundreds of years' worth of critical elements like dysprosium and terbium for Japan. If the current test proves successful, JAMSTEC plans a full-scale demonstration or pilot mining program by February 2027 to assess commercial viability.

The initiative also comes amidst heightened geopolitical tensions. In June 2025, a Chinese naval fleet reportedly entered waters near Minamitorishima while a Japanese research vessel was conducting seabed surveys, prompting concerns from Japanese officials. Japan is also collaborating with allies, including the United States, to reduce reliance on China for these strategic minerals.