Japan: Conquest of Deep-Sea Rare Earths

While China maintains its leading position in rare earths with 90% of the market, Tokyo is forced to explore new options.

Following the comments of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding a potential Japanese intervention in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, Beijing decided to retaliate. Among the multiple responses from the People''s Republic, the halt of exports of strategic metals for military and civilian use has forced Japan into a controversial decision.

This Monday, the vessel Chukyu cast off in the direction of the Minami Toshiba atoll, 2,000 kilometers southeast of Tokyo. At more than 6,000 meters deep around this atoll lie significant rare earth reserves. This operation, still experimental for Japan, will last one month and will consist of bringing up ore-rich muds. The targeted deposits are believed to contain more than 16 million tons of rare earths, which would make it the third largest deposit in the world.

If this exploitation is a success, the practice could become widespread by 2027, raising significant questions about environmental preservation.