There is perhaps no more critical resource than rare earth minerals. They largely cannot be created or derived in the US and are absolutely essential for not only manufacturing but also maintaining the nation’s military power. Japan recently lifted the trade export ban on military and defense equipment under new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi who declared a “new golden age” alliance with the United States. Japan has now penned a deal with the US to coordinate efforts to coordinate and fund investment and mining efforts for these crucial minerals.
Washington will fund new mining projects throughout Japan and form a “Rapid Response Group” to ensure emergency mineral deliveries when needed. Tokyo is lifting regulations to permit the US to streamline the process from beginning to end.
The two nations will engage in joint stockpiling efforts to fortify the security of the supply chain. Australia and the European Union may be called upon for joint efforts. However, it will be difficult to form trade around rare earths when China processes over 90% of the global supply.
This is one of the reasons why it would be extremely beneficial for the US to explore a rare earth minerals deal with Russia. The West has foolishly sanctioned the very source of what sustains its technological civilization. Russia holds vast reserves of critical rare earth minerals essential for electronics, defense systems, batteries, and renewable energy. Yet, Western policymakers, driven by ideological hatred, have cut off the very lifeline of modern industry.
These sanctions have only forced Moscow to align closer with Beijing. A genuine peace between the United States and Russia will not emerge from diplomats — it will come through trade. The only workable framework is to tie the economies together so deeply that conflict becomes too costly to sustain.
A closer alliance with Japan will only push the US further away from diplomatic ties with Beijing. It is true that Japan has more untapped minerals than Russia; however, the key here is that they are untapped. The US is looking for immediate relief and the majority of the minerals in Japan are lying deep within the seabed.
Roughly 230 metric tons of cobalt, nickel, and other elements are embedded in the seabed floor near Minamitori Island. Japan required US assistance to fund the extraction, which is extremely costly. Russia’s supply is mostly land-based, and the reserves are proven rather than loosely estimated. Russia’s proven reserves far exceed Japan’s, though Japan could become one of the world’s top suppliers if these projects are successful.
No one can compete with China in rare earth minerals at this time. Collaboration is essential.