Japan’s deep-sea scientific drilling vessel Chikyu has successfully recovered mud containing rare earths from the seabed about 6,000 meters deep off Minamitorishima island.

Officials said Chikyu obtained rare earth mud from multiple points on the deep seafloor in the area where it has been conducting test extractions.

The mud will be processed on the Japanese mainland.

China accounts for about 60 percent of Japan’s imports of rare earths, which are used in a wide range of fields.

From the standpoint of economic security, Japan has been making efforts to diversify supply sources.

The latest success in collecting rare earth mud marks a step toward domestic production of the scarce minerals.

The research vessel will continue test extraction until early February and is scheduled to return to port around the middle of the month.