Japan does not currently have significant mine production of rare earth elements from domestic land-based sources. It is primarily an importer of rare earth compounds and metals for its advanced manufacturing industries.
However, there are a few important points regarding Japan's rare earth production landscape in and around 2024:
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Reliance on Imports: Japan remains the world's largest importer of rare-earth metals and is heavily dependent on imports, although it has significantly reduced its reliance on China since 2010 by diversifying its supply chain.
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Deep-Sea Mining Exploration: Japan has massive, estimated reserves of rare earths in deep-sea mud off Minami-Torishima Island in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
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Pilot projects for extraction of rare earth minerals from this seabed deposit were anticipated to begin in 2024 (or early 2025 after some delays), with the aim of eventually supplying the private sector by around 2028.
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Recycling ("Urban Mining"): Japan actively promotes and implements recycling efforts (often referred to as "urban mining") to recover rare earth elements from e-waste and used products, which meets a portion of its domestic needs.
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Mineral Commodity Estimates: According to an estimate by the U.S. Geological Survey for 2024, the reported production of rare-earth compounds and metals in Japan was 250 metric tons (excluding mine concentrates), which are typically derived from imported mineral concentrates or chemical intermediates.
In summary, while there is no large-scale domestic mine production of rare earths in Japan in 2024, the nation is making significant moves toward future domestic production through deep-sea mining exploration, in addition to its ongoing strategic focus on recycling.
