Japan will begin on Sunday the world's first attempt to exploit rare earths in the depths of the ocean, in order to reduce dependence on China.

Japan is preparing to launch a drilling expedition on Sunday into the depths of the ocean, at a depth of 6,000 meters, to extract rare earths around the island of Minami Torishima. This mission, carried out by the Chikyu vessel, represents an important step for Japan in reducing its dependence on China, which controls the majority of the global supply of these essential minerals. Rare earths are crucial for various industries, including automotive, technology, and defense. The area around the island is estimated to contain over 16 million tons of rare earths, which could ensure a national supply chain.

Despite efforts to diversify sources, Japan still relies on China for 70% of its rare earth imports. The expedition will last until February 14 and will involve sinking a pipe to collect the mineral-rich mud. This initiative comes in a tense geopolitical context, in which China has used its dominance in the rare earths sector as a pressure tool.