Japan and United States sign deep-sea rare-earth mining project near Minamitorishima with 16 million tonnes
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Japan and the United States sign an agreement on deep-sea mining of rare earth elements in the Minamitorishima exclusive economic zone, targeting a reserve of more than 16 million tonnes. The project aims to reduce China's 90 percent share of the global heavy rare earth market. China has carried out its own exploration near the zone boundary, intensifying regional tension.
Seabed Reserve
Japan and the United States identified more than 16 million tonnes of rare earth minerals at depths of 6 km near Minamitorishima, about 1,600 km from Tokyo. The site lies within Japan's exclusive economic zone, which covers an area larger than Japan's total land area. According to 2018 data, the deposits could meet global needs for yttrium for 780 years, europium for 620 years, terbium for 420 years, and dysprosium for 730 years.
China's Market Position
China controls 90 percent of the global market for heavy rare earth elements used in high-performance magnets for electric vehicles and uses that position as political leverage. Beijing previously suspended exports of dysprosium and terbium to Japan, highlighting Japanese industry's dependence on imported raw materials. China's own exploration near the boundary of Japan's exclusive economic zone has raised bilateral tensions, prompting Japan to deepen cooperation with the United States.
Technical Barriers and Timeline
The project combines Japan's deep-sea research experience with U.S. drilling expertise through companies such as Deep Reach Technology. Working at 6,000 meters, where pressure reaches 600 times sea level, remains the main technical obstacle. A full-scale mining test involving refining and smelting extracted material is scheduled for February 2027, after which Japan expects to finalize a commercial production plan by 2028. Commercial output is projected to take more than a decade, with Japan planning $5.7 billion in public and private financing by 2040.
What's Next
Japan is set to conduct a full-scale mining, refining and smelting test in February 2027, with a commercial production plan expected by 2028. It remains unclear whether the 6,000-metre operating depth and China's regional exploration will delay the project's decade-long timeline.
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Japan and United States sign deep-sea rare-earth mining project near Minamitorishima with 16 million tonnes
