# Chikyu

Japan's Deep‑Sea Gamble: Mining the Pacific to Escape China’s Rare‑Earth Grip

Japan has begun sea trials to harvest rare‑earth‑rich mud off Minami‑Tori‑shima, seeking to reduce reliance on China’s dominant refining industry. The tests face steep technical, economic and environmental hurdles, and even successful extraction would not immediately displace China’s lead in processing and supply chains.