Japan has launched a deep-sea expedition to extract rare minerals in an effort to reduce its dependence on China. On Monday, the scientific drilling vessel Chikyu departed from Shimizu Port in Shizuoka at 9 a.m. local time, heading toward the remote Pacific island of Minami Torishima. The area is believed to contain vast reserves of rare minerals. The mission, led by JAMSTEC, involves experimental drilling at a depth of 6,000 meters, marking a world first, and will continue until February 14.

The initiative comes as China, the world’s largest supplier of rare minerals, exerts pressure on Japan amid heightened political tensions following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit to Taiwan in November. Cabinet Office program director Shoichi Ishii stated that Japan aims to diversify supply sources and build domestic production capacity to avoid overreliance on any single country. Researcher Takahiro Kamisuna noted that regular extraction near Minami Torishima could secure a stable domestic supply chain for Japan’s industries.

Reports indicate that China has recently delayed imports of Japanese goods and slowed rare mineral exports, further motivating Japan’s push for resource independence.