US and Japan Advance Joint Rare Earth Exploration Near Minamitori Island

The governments of the United States and Japan have formalized plans to collaborate on rare earth mineral exploration within Japan’s exclusive economic zone near Minamitori Island, approximately 1,900 km southeast of Tokyo. This initiative follows the signing of a bilateral framework agreement designed to secure critical mineral supplies and strengthen both countries’ resource independence.

Japan will commence feasibility studies in January 2026 to assess the extraction of rare earth-rich mud from ocean depths of 5,000–6,000 meters. Should these studies prove successful, pilot-scale operations targeting a recovery rate of 350 tonnes of mud per day are scheduled to begin in January 2027. The project underlines growing efforts to reduce global dependency on Chinese rare earth exports and is part of Japan’s broader strategy to reinforce economic and maritime security.

  • Recent surveys indicate substantial rare earth deposits in seabed mud near Minamitori Island.
  • The project is backed by a bilateral framework agreement between the US and Japan, signed in 2025.
  • Initial feasibility work is government-led, with trial mining operations planned for 2027 pending regulatory approvals.