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When we talk about the rare resources on the earth, rare earth elements are undoubtedly the most striking stars, and the mainland has always been the number one exporter of rare earths.
But back in 2011, as many as 16 million tons of rare earths were discovered on a small island in Japan, enough for 730 years of human use!
But so far, there is still no sign of mining in this place, what is the reason for this, is it possible that Japan wants to swallow all these rare earths in its belly?
The source of this article comes from the official media, and the specific link is repeated at the end of the article, but in order to improve the readability of the article, the details may be polished, please read sensibly, for reference only!
The importance of rare earths
Rare earths, a mysterious-sounding term, actually refer to the 17 metallic elements in the periodic table, including scandium, yttrium, and 15 lanthanides.
They are like a group of obscure superheroes who, although not well known, play an integral role in our daily lives.
From your smartphone to your MRI machine in a hospital, from wind turbines to electric vehicles, rare earth elements are everywhere.
Rare earth is like a condiment of modern industry, although the amount is small, it can make a qualitative leap in the performance of products.
In the distribution of global rare earth resources, China is undoubtedly a well-deserved "rare earth power".
According to statistics, China's rare earth reserves account for about 36% of the world's total, and the world's production accounts for more than 80%.
It's like in an Olympics of resources, where China won the gold and silver medals. However, this advantage also comes with great responsibilities and challenges.
In addition to China, the United States, Brazil, Vietnam and other countries also have considerable rare earth resources.
In recent years, Japan's discovery of rare earth deposits on the Pacific seabed has attracted global attention.
Discovery of rare earth resources
In 2011, Japanese scientists shocked the world with the discovery of a giant rare earth deposit on the seabed near the Ogasawara Islands.
Japan, a technological powerhouse, has long been plagued by a lack of resources.
It's like a sophisticated machine, although it works efficiently, it always lacks a critical "fuel".
Rare earth elements, known as "industrial vitamins", are vital to Japan's high-tech industry.
However, Japan is almost entirely dependent on imports for its rare earth needs, a situation that is like a samurai who, despite his high skills, relies on others for his sword.
The discovery in 2011 was like a ray of light into Japan's resource woes.
Scientists have discovered a rare earth sediment with an area of about 2,500 square kilometers at the bottom of the sea, about 2,000 kilometers from Tokyo. This discovery is like finding a mountain of gold in the middle of the ocean!
It is estimated that the total amount of rare earth elements contained in this seabed rare earth deposit may be as high as 16 million tons, enough to last 730 years.
For Japan, this is undoubtedly a fateful opportunity, like an island nation suddenly discovering an undersea passage to unlimited resources.
However, the road to the development of this undersea treasure has not been easy.
Rare Earths Under the Sea: Japan's Treasures and Puzzles
This discovery, which could change the global pattern of rare earths, has left Japan in a complicated dilemma. Why has Japan been slow to develop this treasure?
First of all, environmental and ecological considerations have become the main reason for Japan's hesitation.
As a country with a strong sense of environmental protection, Japan is well aware of the ecological disasters that rare earth mining can bring. The undersea ecosystem is like a precision clock, where every part counts.
Once large-scale mining begins, this fragile system can suffer irreversible damage.
Not only that, but the pollution caused by the mining and smelting of rare earths is also a cause for concern.
This will not only affect marine life, but will ultimately endanger the health of humans themselves.
Not to mention, large-scale mining activities also consume large amounts of energy, increase greenhouse gas emissions, and exacerbate global climate change.
Second, geopolitical and national security considerations have also made Japan undecided.
Rare earths are like the "vitamins" of modern industry, playing an indispensable role in high-tech products and defense equipment.
If Japan becomes the world's largest exporter of rare earths, it will undoubtedly change the global balance of power.
Imagine an international reaction to a country that once relied on the supply of rare earths from other countries suddenly takes control of this strategic resource?
Neighboring countries may have concerns about Japan's growing military power. After all, whoever masters rare earths will master the key to creating advanced weapons.
Such fears could trigger new regional tensions and break the hard-won peace.
Japan must find a balance between its economic interests and regional stability, and this is undoubtedly a difficult choice.
Finally, the technical and economic challenges cannot be ignored.
Rare earth mining on the seabed is like a deep-sea expedition with huge technical hurdles to overcome.
Not only that, but the refining process of rare earths is also an advanced science, which requires a large number of professionals and cutting-edge technology.
From an economic point of view, the development of seabed rare earth deposits is like a big gamble.
Huge upfront investment, including equipment research and development, infrastructure construction, etc., requires a lot of investment.
The price fluctuations in the rare earth market and the uncertainty of international competition increase the risk of investment returns.
In case the investment fails, it will be an astronomical loss.
The decision-making process is like walking a tightrope, and every step needs to be carefully considered.
Japan's choice is not only a matter of its own interests, but will also affect the pattern of the global rare earth market and the political balance of the region.
As bystanders, we cannot help but feel sorry for Japan's predicament.
The ambivalence of a huge treasure that cannot be easily exploited must have kept Japanese policymakers awake at night.
So what should we do about these rare earth resources?
The Battle for Rare Earths: China's Chess Game and Foresight
In the big chess game of global rare earth resources, China is undoubtedly one of the most important chess players.
As the world's largest producer and exporter of rare earths, China is naturally concerned about the news of Japan's discovery of huge rare earth deposits in the waters off the Ogasawara Islands.
It's like being in the heat of a chess game where the opponent suddenly discovers a powerful new piece and forces the whole situation to be revisited.
It is not for nothing that China is on high alert about Japan's mining plans.
Imagine how this would affect the landscape of the global rare earths market if Japan did start developing seabed rare earths on a large scale.
China's hard-earned advantages in the rare earth industry over the years could be seriously challenged.
It's like a company that has been dominant in the market for a long time, and suddenly finds that a strong competitor is about to rise, and has to plan ahead and develop a strategy to deal with it.
Looking back at China's own rare earth industry, we will find an interesting phenomenon: overcapacity.
This may sound paradoxical, how can a scarce resource be overcapacity? It's like a treasure trove with the doors wide open and the treasures inside being overexploited and exploited.
This situation not only causes a waste of resources, but also triggers environmental problems and fluctuations in market prices.
Faced with this situation, China realized the need for reasonable control of the mining of rare earths.
It's like a wise farmer who knows how to farm moderately to ensure the long-term fertility of the land.
By controlling the amount of extraction, China can not only protect the environment, but also maintain the market value of rare earths, killing two birds with one stone.
But how do you control mining while remaining internationally competitive? This is a question that requires wisdom and foresight.
China's strategy is to increase the added value of rare earth products and transform from a mere supplier of raw materials to a producer of high-tech products.
It's like moving from selling flour to selling fine cakes, which not only leads to higher profits, but also a better position in the international market.
Shanghai Hotline International - In order to get rid of dependence on neighboring countries, Japan has discovered 16 million tons of rare earth minerals, but why has it been delayed