English 
Japan has embarked on a historic scientific and industrial mission to extract rare earth elements from the deep seabed, marking a bold step in securing critical materials vital to modern technology. The deep-sea research vessel Chikyu departed Shimizu Port today, bound for waters near Minamitori Island, over 1,900 km southeast of Tokyo, initiating what could become the world’s first sustained attempt to mine rare-earth-rich mud from roughly 6,000 meters below the ocean surface.
The month-long expedition, backed by Japan’s government and executed by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), aims to collect samples of seabed mud containing elements such as neodymium, dysprosium, and terbium — essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, data storage devices, and advanced defense systems. If this initial test proves successful, a full-scale mining trial is planned for February 2027 to evaluate commercial viability.
Strategic Context: Reducing China Reliance
Japan’s push into deep-sea rare earth extraction comes at a time of rising geopolitical tension and economic vulnerability. For decades, Tokyo has depended heavily on imports from China, which currently controls a majority share of global rare earth mining and refining capacity. Amid recent export restrictions on dual-use items and rare earth materials by Beijing, Japan’s tech and automotive industries have faced heightened supply risk — particularly for high-performance magnets used in electric motors and robotics.
こちらもお読みください： Utimacoと丸文、日本のデジタルインフラを次世代へつなぐために提携
The new expedition underscores a strategic pivot toward diversifying resource supply chains. Japan has already reduced its reliance on China from roughly 90 % to about 60–70 % through overseas partnerships, recycling initiatives, and stockpiling strategies. Still, critical dependencies remain, especially for certain heavy rare earths that are indispensable for cutting-edge technologies.
Technological and Industrial Impacts
The importance of rare earth elements (REEs) to Japan’s technology ecosystem cannot be overstated. These elements are irreplaceable in permanent magnets, which power electric vehicles (EVs), industrial automation, renewable energy systems, and military applications. A stable, domestic supply could drastically reduce Japan’s exposure to global market volatility and export controls — a major advantage for sectors competing in global tech markets.
For Japanese OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and Tier 1 suppliers in the automotive and electronics industries, securing reliable access to neodymium and dysprosium could mean:
Lower production risk for EV motors and hybrid systems.
Enhanced competitiveness against manufacturers in China and South Korea.
Greater pricing stability in global supply chains.
For semiconductor and defense contractors, enhanced access to materials like terbium could fortify production pipelines for high-frequency components and guided systems, reinforcing Japan’s industrial base amid geopolitical uncertainty.
環境と規制に関する考察
Despite the potential economic upside, the initiative has stirred significant controversy. Environmental scientists and NGOs have warned that deep-sea mining operations may cause “irreversible harm” to fragile ocean ecosystems. Disturbing seabed sediment could damage benthic habitats, disrupt food webs, and release toxic particulates, potentially creating long-lasting ecological impacts beyond Japan’s territorial waters.
Researchers and conservationists argue that without robust environmental safeguards and international regulatory frameworks — particularly under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) — deep-sea mining could set a dangerous precedent. Balancing economic interests with ecological stewardship will be a critical challenge for policymakers as the project progresses.
Business and Investment Opportunities
Beyond the direct impacts on Japan’s technology sector, this initiative has broader implications for businesses and investors worldwide:
Mining and Materials Firms
Companies specializing in deep-sea extraction technologies, subsea robotics, and marine engineering may find rising demand as Japan develops its infrastructure for offshore mineral extraction.
Tech and Manufacturing Entities
Enterprises involved in EVs, renewable energy, aerospace, and semiconductor fabrication may see more predictable supply chains, enabling more resilient production planning and investment strategies.
Global Partnerships and Supply Networks
Japan’s diversification strategy includes strengthening alliances with partners such as Australia, India, and the United States to build alternative rare earth supply routes and refining capacities — a potential boon for multinational collaboration.
前途
While the economic and strategic rationale for Japan’s deep-sea rare earth mining mission is compelling, it remains a high-risk, high-reward venture. Technical challenges, environmental pushback, and uncertain market conditions will test the resilience of the initiative. Yet if Japan can establish a viable domestic source of critical minerals, it could reshape global supply dynamics, reduce vulnerability to geopolitical coercion, and support the long-term growth of its high-technology sectors.
In the coming years, stakeholders will be watching closely as Chikyu’s mission unfolds — not just as a scientific milestone, but as a potential turning point in how advanced economies secure the raw materials that power the technologies of tomorrow.
日本語