Japan has launched a deep-sea mining mission near Minamitori Island to explore for rare-earth-rich seabed mud, aiming to reduce its reliance on China for critical minerals. The month-long mission, involving the research vessel Chikyu, is the first continuous attempt to lift sludge from 6 km below sea level. This effort gains urgency as China has reportedly tightened export restrictions on some critical minerals, prompting discussions among G7 finance ministers on diversifying supply chains.