Khaberni - The Japanese government announced today, Monday, that the research vessel "Chikyu" succeeded in extracting a sample from deposits containing rare earth elements from a depth of about 6,000 meters in the Pacific Ocean waters off the remote island of Minami Torishima, in the first global exploration operation aimed at enhancing supply chain security and reducing dependence on China in this critical sector.
The government spokesperson "Kei Sato" confirmed that the analysis is still ongoing to determine the exact amount of these materials, describing the discovery as an "important achievement".
Estimations by the Nikkei economic newspaper indicate that these deposits include massive reserves of the elements, including enough dysprosium to suffice for 730 years and yttrium for 780 years of global consumption, both central elements in the advanced technology and defense industries.
This move comes amidst escalating tensions with China, the main global supplier of rare earth elements, especially with Beijing imposing restrictions on exports of technological and metallic products that affect the supplies relied upon by Tokyo in vital industries.
What are rare elements?
Rare earth elements, which include 17 elements, are a crucial component in industries such as electric cars, renewable energy, smartphones, and defense components, but their difficult extraction and high cost make dealing with them a technical and economic challenge.
Researcher Takahiro Kamisona said the discovery could help Japan secure the national supply chain for key sectors and reduce dependence on imports from China, which he described as an "important strategic asset" in light of the economic and geopolitical competition between major powers.
The Rare Metals War between China and America
Rare metals play a pivotal role in strategic competition between China and the United States, with Beijing accounting for about two-thirds of the global production of these elements, and 92% of refined production -according to the International Energy Agency- which grants it a strong leverage in trade and economic disputes.
The use of these elements in vital industries has made Washington feel highly dependent on China for supply chains.
Chinese restrictions on exports of these metals have caused American concern regarding industrial independence and technological security, prompting the United States to seek to reduce reliance on Beijing by enhancing domestic production and searching for alternative sources.
