UNCAPTIONED: Japan Finds Valuable Rare Earth Elements Beneath Pacific Seabed

Japan has discovered high concentrations of rare earth elements (yttrium, gadolinium, dysprosium) in deep-sea mud near Minamitori island, collected by drilling vessel Chikyu in February 2026. The discovery is part of Japan's strategy to reduce dependence on Chinese rare earth exports; a large-scale mining trial begins February 2027 with viability assessment due by March 2028.

This Wire brief sits within Fusion42's coverage of Semiconductors and Advanced Materials, and 4 sources have reported it between 24 Jul 2026 and 28 Jul 2026.