Japan is contemplating building a specialized deep-sea mining vessel to extract rare earth minerals from the Pacific Ocean floor. This initiative aims to enhance self-sufficiency and decrease dependence on Chinese supply chains.

Japan’s quest for rare earth self-sufficiency and its drive to decouple from Chinese supply chains have prompted the government to consider building a dedicated deep-sea mining vessel to recover minerals from the Pacific Ocean floor. Local media reported that the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s special committee on ocean development will soon present a draft proposal to the Takaichi administration, calling for unspecified project funding. While the initiative will face technological and...