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Japan plans to conduct test mining of rare-earth-rich mud from the deep seabed near Minamitori Island starting in January 2026, aiming to reduce reliance on China-dominated supplies. This initiative involves extracting mud from depths of 5,000-6,000 meters within Japan's exclusive economic zone, around 1,900 km southeast of Tokyo.
About
Minamitori Island (also called Minamitorishima or Marcus Island) is Japan’s easternmost territory, a remote coral atoll in the Pacific Ocean with strategic and scientific importance.
Key Facts
- Location: About 1,848 km southeast of Tokyo, nearly midway between Japan and Wake Island.
- Size: Roughly 1.51 km² (0.58 sq mi) with a coastline of 6 km.
- Elevation: Maximum height of 9 m above sea level.
- Administration: Part of Tokyo Metropolis, under Ogasawara Subprefecture.
- Population: No permanent residents; only personnel from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Japan Meteorological Agency.
History
- Discovered by Japanese navigator Shinroku Mizutani in 1868 and annexed by Japan in 1898.
- Occupied by U.S. forces during World War II, returned to Japan in 1968.
- Historically known as Marcus Island in Western references.
Strategic & Scientific Importance
- Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Extends Japan’s EEZ deep into the Pacific, giving access to vast marine resources.
- Rare Earth Deposits: The seabed around Minamitorishima contains large reserves of rare earth elements critical for electronics and renewable energy.
- Climate Monitoring: Hosts a major station for greenhouse gas observation and weather forecasting.
- Military Presence: Japan maintains a runway and defense facilities, underscoring its geopolitical significance.
Geography & Environment
- Shaped like a saucer or triangle, surrounded by shallow coral reefs that drop sharply into deep ocean trenches.
- Climate: Tropical savanna, with warm temperatures year-round.
- Access: Restricted to government and military personnel; not open to public tourism.
Importance
- Geopolitical leverage: Extends Japan’s maritime boundaries.
- Resource potential: Rare earths could reduce dependence on imports.
- Scientific role: Key site for monitoring global climate change.
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