Overview
- Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan and the United States will study potential development of rare-earth resources around Minamitori Island.
- Japan plans a feasibility test in January to raise seabed mud from roughly 6,000 meters to evaluate extraction capability.
- Surveys by a government-backed project have confirmed rare-earth-rich mud at 5,000 to 6,000 meters within Japan's exclusive economic zone about 1,900 km southeast of Tokyo.
- The move follows a framework signed during President Donald Trump's Tokyo visit to secure supplies and lessen dependence on China.
- If the January test is successful, trial operations targeting recovery of about 350 metric tons of mud per day could begin in January 2027.