The Japanese and U.S. governments are set to cooperate on developing deep-sea mud rich in rare earths off Minami-Torishima Island in Tokyo's Ogasawara Village. Ahead of a summit on Thursday in Washington between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump, the two sides are advancing toward signing a memorandum to establish a working group on marine mineral resources. This initiative aims to secure a stable supply of critical minerals.
To secure a stable supply of critical minerals, the Japanese and U.S. governments plan to collaborate on developing deep-sea mud rich in rare earths off Minami-Torishima Island in Tokyo. According to sources, this cooperation will be formalized through a memorandum signed alongside the summit on March 14 in Washington between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. President Donald Trump, establishing a working group focused on marine mineral resources.
The group will prioritize rare earth-rich mud around Minami-Torishima—where Japan conducted a successful trial drilling in February—and manganese nodules containing rare metals. Japanese representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Cabinet Office, the Foreign Ministry, and other entities will participate. The two countries aim to share information, involve experts and researchers, exchange views with industry for commercial applications, and consider mutual use of relevant facilities.
China dominates global rare earth production and has employed export restrictions as economic coercion against nations including Japan and the United States, making independent supply sources a pressing challenge. With Chinese state-owned enterprises planning rare metal mining in international waters off Minami-Torishima, U.S. involvement is viewed as a counter to these moves.
The Japan Times reports that the governments are working toward issuing a joint document on key minerals. This partnership highlights a new dimension in U.S.-Japan relations.
