Japan and U.S. to jointly explore rare earth mining near Minamitori Island

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has announced that Japan and the United States would work together to study developing rare earth mining in the waters around Minamitori Island, located roughly 1,900 km (1,180 miles) southeast of Tokyo. 

The prime minister said this during a Thursday parliamentary session, adding that co-development of rare earths was a key topic in her meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump last week.

A collaboration for Japan’s minerals

During Trump’s visit to Tokyo, the two countries signed a new framework agreement aimed at securing stable supplies of rare earth minerals, which are critical materials used in the manufacture of electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and advanced military technologies, among others.  

China currently dominates global rare earth extraction and processing, accounting for about 61% of global rare earth extraction, and controls over 90% of processing capacity. The United States controls 12%, and Myanmar 8%.

A deep-sea experiment

Japan’s plan to mine at Minamitori Island is informed by surveys that have confirmed the presence of rich rare-earth mud deposits within its exclusive economic zone. The deposits lie at depths of 5,000 to 6,000 meters, and the Japanese government sees them as central to its push for maritime and economic security.

Prime Minister Takaichi said Japan plans to begin feasibility tests in the coming January to explore methods of extracting rare earth mud from depths of up to 6,000 meters. “We will consider specific ways to promote cooperation between Japan and the United States on rare earth development around Minamitori Island,” she said.

If successful, the initiative could move to a trial phase by early 2027, which could see the usage of a system capable of recovering roughly 350 metric tons of mud per day.

The project could help Japan emerge as a major player in the rare earth market, strengthening its supply resilience while offering an alternative source for the U.S. and other partners.

Countering China’s dominance

The Japan-U.S. rare earth partnership comes on the heels of an economic tussle between China and the U.S., following tariffs and import restrictions between the two nations, which has led to the attendant competition for strategic minerals. 

China recently imposed export restrictions on some key materials and rare earth minerals, and this action has alarmed Western governments and industries reliant on these inputs for semiconductors and renewable energy technologies.

The Trump administration has made reindustrialization and resource independence a major part of its second-term economic agenda. Last month, the U.S. and Australia signed a critical minerals and rare earths deal, which will see Australia working closely with Washington on rare earth mining, processing, and supply. This is the first major attempt by the U.S. to curb China’s market monopoly.

For Japan, the initiative aligns with Takaichi’s economic and security policy, which prioritizes domestic production of strategic materials, supply chain resilience, technological innovation, and building its military.

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