A Japanese research mission has identified layers containing rare earth elements at a depth of 6000 meters in the Pacific Ocean. The government in Tokyo announced this on February 2.
The sampling work was carried out with the help of the "Chikyu" vessel. The ship had set course in December for the area around Minamitorishima Island, which belongs to Japan.
According to scientists' estimates, this area could contain more than 16 million tons of rare earth elements. If confirmed, the deposit would become one of the largest in the world.
As emphasized by Takahiro Kamisuna, a researcher at the International Strategic Research Institute (ISRI), these discoveries will help Japan strengthen the domestic supply chain for industrial sectors and reduce dependence on China.
It should be recalled that in November 2025, China restricted the export of some rare earth elements to Japan. Rare earth elements are a group of 17 chemical elements that are important for high-tech devices, radio electronics, and instrumentation.
Currently, the largest reserves exist in China (44 million tons), followed by Vietnam, Brazil, Russia, and Greenland.
