In a first, Japan pulls rare-earth mud from over 19,000-ft below sea

Japan has achieved a world-first by successfully retrieving sediment containing rare earth elements from about 19,700 feet (6,000 meters) below the ocean surface during a recent government-backed expedition. This milestone is part of Japan’s strategic effort to reduce its heavy reliance on China for rare earth minerals, which are crucial for modern technologies such as smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and advanced weaponry. The sediment sample, collected near Minamitori Island in Japan’s easternmost waters, will undergo detailed analysis to determine its rare earth content. If subsequent tests prove successful, Japan plans to begin test extraction of seabed mud by February 2027, potentially lifting around 385 tons of sediment daily for evaluation. The initiative reflects Japan’s broader push to secure a stable supply chain amid geopolitical tensions and China’s dominant position in rare earth production and processing. Despite investments in overseas projects and facilities, Japan still imports about 70% of its rare earths from China, prompting the government to prioritize domestic seab