Japan extracts rare earths from seabed: 3 things to know

CommoditiesMud proves rich in yttrium, but process may be too costly to reduce reliance on ChinaMud retrieved from the Pacific seabed near Minamitorishima was found to be rich in rare earths. (SIP/JAMSTEC)MOMOKO IMAMURAJuly 25, 2026 06:14 JSTTOKYO -- Japan's successful recovery of rare earths including yttrium and dysprosium from deep-sea mud off the coast of a remote Pacific island has heightened expectations for the deposits there, but hurdles still remain to commercialization.