南鸟岛近海的试验性钻探是内阁府推进的"战略性创新创造计划（SIP）"的一部分。 该项目使用文部科学省主管的海洋研究开发机构（JAMSTEC）的探测船"地球号"，验证是否能够从约 6000米深的海底回收泥浆。 版权声明：日本经济新闻社版权所有，未经授权不得转载或部分复制，违者必究。 日经中文网 https://cn.nikkei.com 关于日本内阁府在小笠原群岛南鸟岛近海推进的、被认为含有稀土（希土类）的泥浆试验性钻探，日本 文部科学相松本洋平2月1日在其个人X（原推特）上发文称，"已收到从水深6000米成功扬起泥浆的消 息"。 视频号推荐内容： 日本海洋研究开发机构（JAMSTEC）的探测船"地球号"（1月12日，静冈市的清水港） 日本在小笠原群岛南鸟岛近海正在进行被认为含有稀土的泥浆试验性钻探…… ...

Core Viewpoint - Japan is initiating a project to explore and potentially commercialize rare earth mining in the waters near Minami-Torishima Island, aiming for domestic production to reduce reliance on imports, particularly from China, by around 2030 [2][10]. Group 1: Project Overview - The research vessel "Chikyu" set sail on January 12 to collect rare earth mud from a depth of approximately 6000 meters in Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) [4][7]. - This initiative is part of Japan's "Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP)" aimed at confirming the operational status of recovery equipment and conducting a trial extraction of rare earth mud [8][12]. - The project aims to verify the capability to collect 350 tons of sea mud daily by February 2027, along with assessing the costs of recovery and refining processes [8][10]. Group 2: Rare Earth Elements and Their Importance - High concentrations of rare earth elements such as dysprosium, neodymium, and gadolinium have been found in the seabed mud, which are essential for manufacturing electric vehicle (EV) motors and medical devices [5][7]. - Japan currently sources 63% of its rare earths from China, with heavy rare earths like dysprosium being irreplaceable by other materials [7][10]. Group 3: Economic Implications - Establishing a domestic supply chain for rare earths could significantly benefit Japan's automotive and electronics industries, especially in light of geopolitical tensions affecting imports from China [10][12]. - The potential loss to Japan's economy from a year-long export restriction from China could amount to approximately 2.6 trillion yen, impacting GDP by 0.4% [10]. Group 4: Challenges and Considerations - The cost of extracting rare earth mud near Minami-Torishima is projected to be several times higher than the market price of rare earths produced in China [15]. - The technology for extracting rare earths from seabed mud is still in the research phase, requiring further development for large-scale production [13][15]. - International regulations and environmental considerations may pose challenges to commercial extraction, as the International Seabed Authority has yet to finalize rules for seabed resource development [15].