Japan has recovered deep-sea mud containing rare-earth elements from the ocean floor off its easternmost territory [1].

This discovery is a critical step toward securing a domestic supply of minerals essential for high-technology manufacturing. By developing national production capabilities, Japan aims to reduce its strategic reliance on China, which currently dominates the global supply of these materials [1, 2].

The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) used the research vessel Chikyū to retrieve the mud on Feb. 1, 2026 [1, 3]. The samples were collected from a depth of approximately 6,000 meters [1, 3] off the coast of Minamitorishima, also known as South Bird Island [1, 4].

Analysis of the recovered mud confirmed the presence of yttrium [1]. This specific rare-earth element is used in a wide array of advanced technologies, including LED lamps, and the coating of semiconductor manufacturing equipment [1]. It is also used in medical lasers for cataract surgery and skin treatment [1].

Because yttrium increases the heat resistance of materials, it is considered indispensable for the production of fuel cells and jet engines [1]. The recovery process involved the use of specialized machinery to extract large quantities of mud from the seabed [1].

Japan has now initiated a feasibility study to determine if domestic production is economically viable [1, 4]. This follows a previous agreement between Japan and the U.S. to collaborate on rare-earth mining in the waters surrounding Minamitorishima [2]. While the initial recovery is complete, some reports indicate that full-scale trial mining is planned to begin in February 2027 [5].

“Japan aims to reduce its strategic reliance on China, which currently dominates the global supply of these materials.”

The successful recovery of yttrium from the seabed marks a shift from theoretical exploration to practical feasibility. If Japan can prove that extracting minerals from 6,000 meters is cost-effective, it will significantly alter the geopolitical leverage held by China over the global semiconductor and aerospace supply chains.