Japan deep-sea hunt finds rare earths as it seeks to cut reliance on China

Tokyo proclaims Pacific Ocean mission world’s first attempt to tap rare earths at such a depth.Published On 2 Feb 2026Japan has announced the discovery of rare earth elements at record sea depths.The government said on Monday that a deep-sea test mission in the Pacific Ocean had retrieved sediment containing rare earths from depths of 6,000 metres (about 20,000 feet). Tokyo has stepped up efforts to mine deep-sea deposits in a bid to reduce its dependence on China for the valuable minerals.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Why Japan’s economic plans are sending jitters through global marketslist 2 of 3Japan says goodbye to last pandas amid strained ties with Chinalist 3 of 3Japan PM Takaichi dissolves parliament, paving way for snap electionend of listGovernment spokesman Kei Sato said the sample, recovered by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), was being analysed for the quantity of rare earth contained in the sediment.She called the retrieval of the sediment “a meaningful achievement both in terms of economic security and comprehensive maritime development”.On Sunday, Science and Technology Minister Yohei Matsumoto, whose ministry oversees JAMSTEC’s work, announced in a social media post that “rare earth mud” had been collected by research vessel Chikyu.The deep-sea scientific drilling boat set sail last month for the remote Pacific island of Minami Torishima, where surrounding waters are believed to contain a rich trove of valuable minerals.The area around Minami Torishima, which is in Japan’s economic waters, is estimated to contain more than 16 million tonnes of rare earths. The Nikkei business daily says it is the third-largest reserve globally.US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi hold up signed documents regarding securing the supply of critical minerals and rare earths, at a bilateral meeting at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan, October 28, 2025 [Reuters]Late last year, Japan signed an agreement with the United States to coordinate on securing the supply of rare earths, with both eyeing China’s control of much of the world’s critical minerals.