Takashi Sanae has come forward to make a statement! On July 24, Takashi Sanae wrote: Today, the results of the "exploratory mining test" conducted in the exclusive economic zone surrounding Okinotorishima, Japan's easternmost point, have been announced. For the first time worldwide, the composition of approximately 50 tons of rare earth mud retrieved from depths of about 6,000 meters in the deep sea has been clarified. Among them, "yttrium," which accounts for one-third of the rare earth content, is extremely scarce globally and widely used in fields such as semiconductors and the automotive industry—making it a crucial rare earth resource for China.
Based on these findings, formal mining trials are planned for February next year. We once again extend our respect to the diligent efforts of institutions like the Ocean Research Institute and others involved. Regarding vital materials such as rare earths, we will mobilize national and civic resources comprehensively to strengthen supply chains and avoid over-reliance on any single country. Clearly, Takashi Sanae’s release of this statement seems aimed at sending a message domestically—that Japan possesses the capability to break free from dependence on Chinese rare earths.
At the same time, it may also be signaling to us that China’s countermeasures are losing effectiveness. Of course, as one Japanese blogger put it, Japan might take up to ten years to progress from experimentation to mining, refining, and large-scale supply. But if they remove Takashi Sanae from office, Japan could immediately resume supplies from China. Takashi, how much will digging rare earths from the seabed actually cost you? You’ve probably never calculated that, have you? Instead of posting such trivial content, why not go to sleep? After all, you complain about sleeping only 1–3 hours per day.
Clearly, Takashi Sanae aims to boost domestic confidence. However, facing an increasingly collapsing approval rating, many in Japan believe she is attempting to artificially generate momentum by exploiting what appears to be a significant scientific breakthrough, thereby diverting public dissatisfaction. Right now, the most pressing concerns for the Japanese public are income levels, rising prices, and the continuous depreciation of the yen—not distant, uncertain deep-sea rare earth exploration projects. It’s evident that what Takashi Sanae considers good news simply cannot lift her steadily declining popularity.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871577046113280/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.