Recently, Japan dispatched a research vessel to the Pacific Ocean to conduct exploration for seabed rare earth resources. This move aims to reduce its heavy reliance on imported rare earth elements and explore pathways toward domestic supply of these critical minerals. Rare earth elements are essential in high-tech industries, including electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, and defense equipment. Currently, over 80% of the world’s rare earth supply comes from China. As a resource-poor island nation, Japan has long faced risks to its supply chain security.The primary focus of this survey is the area near Minamitorishima (Marcus Island), within Japan’s exclusive economic zone, where seabed sediments have been confirmed to contain high concentrations of rare earth oxides. In 2013, a University of Tokyo research team first discovered deposits there potentially sufficient to meet global demand for hundreds of years. However, deep-sea mining remains technologically challenging, costly, and environmentally controversial, preventing commercial exploitation so far.In recent years, the Japanese government has significantly increased investment in marine resource development, aiming to lower extraction costs through technological innovation and establish regulations for sustainable practices. This expedition not only updates resource data but also gathers technical and environmental assessment experience for potential future commercial mining. Successful seabed rare earth extraction could substantially enhance Japan’s strategic autonomy in critical raw materials.
近日，日本派出科考船前往太平洋海域，开展海底稀土资源的勘探工作。此举旨在缓解其对进口稀土的严重依赖，并探索未来关键矿产的本土化供应路径。稀土元素广泛应用于高科技产业，如电动汽车、风力发电机、智能手机和国防设备等，而目前全球超过80%的稀土供应来自中国。日本作为资源匮乏的岛国，长期面临供应链安全风险。此次探查重点区域位于日本专属经济区内的南鸟岛附近海域，该地区海底沉积物中已被证实富含高浓度稀土氧化物。2013年，东京大学研究团队首次在此发现储量可能满足全球数百年的需求。然而，深海开采技术难度大、成本高，且存在生态影响争议，因此尚未实现商业化开采。日本政府近年来持续加大海洋资源开发投入，希望通过技术创新降低开采成本，并制定相关法规以确保可持续开发。此次出海探查不仅是为了更新资源数据，也为未来可能的商业开采积累技术和环境评估经验。若能成功实现海底稀土的稳定开采，将显著提升日本在关键原材料领域的战略自主性。
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