Japan pulls rare earths from Pacific seabed in drilling test

CommoditiesMove marks potential step to reduce reliance on China-centric supply chainJapan has recovered rare earth elements critical to semiconductors, electric vehicles and defense applications from a deep-sea drilling test near Minamitori-shima, a remote Pacific island. (Photo by Ryoko Shimonoya)SHOTARO TANIJuly 24, 2026 11:30 JSTTOKYO -- Japan has recovered rare-earth elements critical to semiconductors, electric vehicles and defense applications from a deep-sea drilling test, marking a potential step toward reducing its reliance on China-dominated supply chains.