**Japan's Race Against Time: Why Deep-Sea Mining for Rare Earth Elements Matters Now**
The global competition for critical mineral access is intensifying, and Japan is taking bold action. Starting this month, the country will conduct its first deep-sea mining trial targeting rare earth elements in waters near Minamitori Island, located approximately 1,900 kilometers off Tokyo's coast. This initiative underscores Tokyo's growing concerns about supply chain vulnerabilities—particularly its heavy reliance on Chinese-controlled mineral exports.
**Why the Urgency?**
Japan's predicament is straightf