Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed relevant cabinet ministers at a Cabinet meeting on Ocean Policy today to expedite thedevelopment and verification of seabed rare earth elements off the coast of Minamitorishima Island in Ogasawara Village, Tokyo, on an industrial scale by fiscal year 2027.
According to reports from Kyodo News and the Nikkei, the project is expected to reach a scale of extracting, transporting, and refining over 350 metric tons of seabed clay-like sediments daily. Kaohsiung City’s move aims to reduce its dependence on Chinese rare earth elements and targets future commercial applications. Furthermore, Kaohsiung City has requested the government to begin revising its basic Arctic policy, with the revision expected to be completed by fiscal year 2027.
In February of this year, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)’s deep-sea exploration vessel “Chikyu” successfully collected clay-like sediments containing rare earth elements at a depth of approximately 5,600 meters off the coast of Minami-Torishima Island. At the meeting, Mayor Takashi stated that from the perspective of economic security, the government intends to improve the relevant systems needed for development. However, how to improve economic efficiency remains a challenge.
The Japanese government plans to invest over 3 trillion yen (approximately US$18.5 billion) in the marine sector through public and private sector cooperation by fiscal year 2040. Of this, 900 billion yen (approximately US$5.6 billion) will be allocated to the development of marine resources such as rare earth elements and manganese nodules. An additional 1.2 trillion yen (approximately US$7.4 billion) will be invested in marine drones, whose importance in security is increasing.
The Japanese government expects to begin a comprehensive investigation into seabed rare earth mining off the coast of Minamitorishima by the end of fiscal year 2027.
In addition, Kaohsiung City has instructed that marine drones and satellites be used to establish “Marine State Awareness” (MDA). Kaohsiung City has also requested that cabinet members, including Minister in charge of Ocean Policy Jiro Akama, attract private investment through public procurement, thereby creating an environment where private companies can expect certain returns and are more willing to make initial investments.
During this meeting, Hiroshi Nakanishi, the chairperson of the expert meeting of the Comprehensive Ocean Policy Headquarters, also submitted a written opinion on ocean policy to Kaohsiung City.
