Japanese Deep-sea Vessel Chikyu Achieves Breakthrough in Rare Earth Collection

Japan: Japan announced the success of an expedition conducted by the Japanese Deep-sea Scientific Drilling Vessel Chikyu in the Pacific Ocean at a depth of 6,000 meters, where deposits containing 17 rare earth elements were collected. According to Oman News Agency, this expedition is the first of its kind in the world to collect rare earth elements from waters of this depth. Government spokesman Kei Sato stated that the "details will be analyzed, including exactly how much rare earth is contained," describing the discovery as a "meaningful achievement." The Chikyu collected the sample after setting sail in mid-January for the remote Japanese island of Minami Torishima in the Pacific Ocean, whose surrounding waters are rich in valuable minerals. The collected rare earth elements are essential for economic sectors including automobiles, renewable energy, digital technology, and defense, and are used in the manufacture of powerful magnets, catalysts, and electronic components. The area surrounding Minami Tor ishima Island, located within Japan's exclusive economic zone, contains more than 16 million tons of rare earth elements, making it the third largest stockpile in the world, according to the Nikkei business daily.