Japan & U.S. Plan Rare-Earth Mining Near Minamitori Island

Japan and the United States are planning joint exploration and extraction of rare-earth minerals near Minamitori Island, about 1,900 km southeast of Tokyo, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced on Thursday.

Takaichi said both nations aim to start test mining of rare-earth-rich seabed mud early next year. The project is part of Japan’s push to strengthen resource security as China tightens export controls on critical minerals.

The initiative follows recent talks between Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump focused on cooperation in critical mineral supply chains. “Co-development of rare earth minerals was a key topic,” Takaichi said.

• Japan, U.S. to launch rare-earth mining near Minamitori Island
• Tokyo and Washington strengthen resource security with seabed project
• Japan-U.S. rare-earth plan aims to cut China mineral dependence

Minamitori Island sits in a remote Pacific area, making seabed extraction a difficult and costly undertaking. Japan hopes the project will reduce its dependence on Chinese supplies of elements vital for electronics, electric vehicles, and clean-energy technologies.

Details on investment, project partners, and timelines have not been disclosed. Environmental experts have raised concerns about potential harm to fragile marine ecosystems, while analysts say the effort could shift global supply dynamics for strategic minerals.

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The plan underscores how resource development has become a key part of Japan’s economic and security agenda. As Tokyo and Washington move forward, they face the challenge of balancing technological ambition, ecological responsibility, and geopolitical stability.