The sediment containing rare earths was collected by a deep-sea scientific drilling boat called the Chikyu that set sail in January for Minamitorishima, where surrounding waters are believed to contain a trove of valuable minerals.
The mission came as Beijing ramped up pressure on Japan after Takaichi suggested in November that Tokyo may react militarily to an attack on Taiwan, which China has vowed to seize control of by force if necessary.
It blocked exports to Japan of “dual-use” items with potential military uses, fuelling worries in Japan that Beijing could choke supplies of rare earths.
China has long used its dominance in rare earths for geopolitical leverage, including in its trade war with Trump.
The US last month unveiled a critical minerals partnership with the European Union and Japan, after a gathering in Washington amid growing concerns about China’s dominant role in the sector.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/japan-us-rare-earths-takaichi-minamitorishima-6000791
