Japan Begins Deep-Sea Rare-Earth Extraction After China Ban

Japan will begin an unprecedented deep-sea rare-earth extraction around Minami-Torishima on 11 January, deploying Jamstec’s Chikyu to lift 35 tonnes of seabed mud in a mission running through 14 February following China’s announcement curbing exports of dual-use goods to Japan.Nikkei estimates more than 16 million tonnes of rare earths in the seabed that could make the area the world’s third-largest deposit and hold the equivalent of 730 years of dysprosium and 780 years of yttrium consumption, a potential windfall for automotive, smartphone and defense supply chains.Beijing’s Commerce Ministry said on January 9 the curbs will not affect civilian items and are meant to prevent “Japan’s rearmament and nuclear ambitions,” but companies remain worried because the permit regime and precise scope are unclear and the "Global Times" warned restrictions might reach civilian goods.