Japan–US Deep-Sea Mining Partnership to Counter China’s Rare Earth Monopoly

Context:

• Japan and the United States have launched a major strategic collaboration to develop deep-sea mining operations near Minamitorishima Island , Japan’s easternmost territory in the Pacific Ocean. The initiative seeks to secure rare earth elements (REEs) — critical for advanced technologies, clean energy systems, and defence manufacturing — amid China’s near-total dominance in global rare earth processing.

Strategic Collaboration for Mineral Independence

• The partnership was formalised following a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi . Both leaders emphasised the need to diversify rare earth supply chains , enhance joint exploration, refining, and smelting , and strengthen technological cooperation for critical mineral extraction.
• Prime Minister Takaichi stated that the two nations “must secure diverse procurement methods” to reduce dependency on China for materials crucial to high-tech and defence sectors.

Focus on Minamitorishima Island

• The target site is located near Minamitorishima , anchoring Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that spans 429,000 sq km .

• Surveys have identified mud layers 5,000–6,000 metres deep containing rare earth-rich sediments.

• Japan aims to launch pilot extraction trials in January 2026 to test the feasibility of lifting mineral-rich mud to the surface.
  If successful, these deep-sea reserves could make Japan a key supplier of critical minerals outside China.

China’s Rare Earth Dominance

China currently refines over 90% of the world’s rare earths and has recently tightened export controls on key elements like holmium, erbium, and europium , critical for semiconductors, radar systems, and electric vehicles. This has accelerated global efforts to secure alternative sources .

Exam-Oriented Facts

• Partners: Japan and the United States

• Project Site: Near Minamitorishima Island, Pacific Ocean

• Depth: 5,000–6,000 metres

• Japan’s EEZ: 429,000 sq km

• Pilot Extraction: Starts January 2026

• China’s Share: 90% of refined rare earths