U.S., Japan partner on deep-sea rare earth mining to counter China

The United States and Japan are collaborating on undersea mining of rare earth minerals near Japan’s Minamitorishima Island in a bid to challenge China’s dominance of the industry, according to Peoples Gazette.

The partnership, reached in March during talks between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, forms part of a new memorandum of cooperation targeting deep-sea critical minerals, including rare-earth muds capable of meeting centuries of industrial demand.

Test samples showed significant yttrium, gadolinium and dysprosium deposits, with Japan targeting a commercialisation plan by 2028.