Japan Launches Deep-Sea Mining Initiative to Reduce Rare Earth Dependency

Japan is stepping into deep-sea exploration for rare earth minerals this month, accelerating efforts to break free from Beijing’s dominance in the critical materials supply chain. The government-backed test run, set to commence January 11 and conclude February 14, will operate in maritime zones near Minamitori Island, located approximately 1,900 kilometers southeast of Tokyo.

The Challenge: China’s Stranglehold on Critical Minerals

The urgency behind Japan’s move reflects a sobering reality: China controls about 70 percent of global rare earth production and commands over 90 percent of global refining capacity. Tokyo currently imports roughly 60 percent of its rare earth supplies from China and relies almost entirely on Chinese sources for heavy rare earth elements—a vulnerability that has haunted Japanese policymakers since 2010, when Beijing weaponized rare earth exports during a territorial spat, cutting shipments and crippling Japan’s manufacturing sector.

The potential economic costs of another supply freeze are staggering. Japanese government analysis warns that a three-month disruption could inflict over US$4 billion in losses on domestic companies, while a full-year embargo could reduce annual GDP by nearly 0.5 percent. This calculation intensifies as China recently signaled stricter export protocols on “dual-use” items with military potential—a designation broad enough to encompass certain rare earth materials.

What the Test Aims to Prove

The upcoming trial will assess equipment capable of extracting up to 350 metric tons of sediment daily while simultaneously evaluating environmental footprint in both seabed ecosystems and surface operations. If results validate the concept, Tokyo plans to greenlight an expanded demonstration phase in 2025.

The vision extends beyond experimental trials. Japan is constructing a dedicated processing facility on Minamitorishima by 2027, designed to refine mud extracted from the seafloor as part of its Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP). A full-scale operational test is scheduled for February 2027, targeting daily processing capacity of 350 metric tons of rare-earth-bearing mud.

“Our objective is to successfully demonstrate the complete extraction and refinement process of rare earth elements from marine sediment, then evaluate whether it makes economic sense,” explained Shoichi Ishii, director of the Strategic Innovation Promotion Program.

The Broader Geopolitical Calculation

Japan’s initiative is not isolated. Washington and Tokyo committed last year to joint efforts in marine resource development, processing infrastructure, and supply chain resilience for critical minerals. These collaborative agreements position both nations to reduce reliance on Beijing for materials essential to defense systems, renewable energy, and advanced electronics.

Environmental Concerns Amid the Race

Marine conservation advocates caution that deep-sea mining risks inflicting irreversible damage to poorly-mapped ocean ecosystems. Nonetheless, mounting competition for mineral resources is prompting multiple countries to accelerate exploratory operations worldwide. Japan’s move signals that economic security concerns now outweigh environmental precaution in Tokyo’s policy calculus.