Japan enhances its deep-sea resource exploration capabilities, upgrading unmanned explorers to explore rare earth resources.

Foreign media: Japan is enhancing its seabed survey capabilities in its 1.56 million square mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), upgrading the unmanned deep-sea explorer "Urashima" and building a new mother ship to replace the "Yokosuka," which has been in service for over 30 years, expected to be put into use in the 2030s.

"Urashima" recently dived to 26,246 feet in the Izu-Ogasawara Trench, covering the deep-sea areas of Japan's EEZ, to explore resources such as rare earth elements.

China is the world's largest holder of rare earth reserves (44 million tons, accounting for 70% of production), and there are disputes between the two countries regarding research vessel activities in the Western Pacific.

Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1840522231102536/

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