靠深海稀土，高市能翻身吗？参观过中国稀土工厂的日本专家这么说

Core Viewpoint - Japan is experiencing significant turmoil following the announcement of a halt in the approval of rare earth exports from China, leading to increased opposition and countermeasures from Japan [1][3]. Group 1: Japan's Response to Rare Earth Export Ban - Initially, Japan displayed a nonchalant attitude, but as time passed, the situation escalated, prompting stronger reactions and actions against the export ban [1]. - Japan has recognized the harsh reality of its dependence on Chinese rare earths, leading to continuous efforts to mitigate this reliance [3]. Group 2: Strategies Employed by Japan - Japan is pursuing two main strategies: seeking international allies to form a rare earth alliance and attempting to develop its own rare earth mining capabilities [5]. - The Japanese government, under the guidance of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, is actively engaging with G7 and Quad nations to establish a rare earth alliance, although initial results have been minimal [5]. Group 3: Domestic Rare Earth Mining Efforts - Japan is focusing on deep-sea mining near Minami-Torishima, where approximately 16 million tons of rare earth mud are believed to be located, with a concentration significantly higher than that of Chinese land mines [7]. - Despite the theoretical potential of this plan, experts highlight the significant challenges Japan faces in mining and refining rare earths, as the necessary infrastructure and technology are lacking [7][10]. Group 4: Technical Challenges in Rare Earth Refinement - A Japanese expert has expressed skepticism about Japan's ability to establish a mature rare earth refining process, emphasizing that the critical refining technology is currently absent in both Japan and the U.S. [10][12]. - The expert points out that the extraction and refinement of rare earths require complex chemical processes that Japan and the U.S. are not equipped to handle effectively [12][14]. Group 5: Long-term Implications - The challenges of deep-sea mining and subsequent refining processes present formidable obstacles, making Japan's ambitious plans appear overly optimistic [17]. - Experts warn that even with substantial financial backing, the technical hurdles may render these initiatives ineffective, underscoring the need for continued technological innovation to maintain competitiveness in the global supply chain [17].