Nikkei: Japan to Send Delegation to Greenland This Summer to Assess Rare Earth Mining

The Nikkei newspaper reported today that Japan is preparing to dispatch a delegation to Greenland this summer to assess the feasibility of rare earth mining.

The delegation will include officials from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), trading companies, and representatives from the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). They are scheduled to hold talks with local government officials in Greenland.

Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, has recently become an international focal point due to its strategic location and abundant rare earth reserves.

In January, the U.S. White House revealed that former President Donald Trump had considered acquiring Greenland, raising alertness among European NATO allies. Discussions have since shifted to diplomatic channels.

Rare earth elements are critical for high-tech industries, including electric vehicles, wind turbines, and smartphones. China currently controls nearly 70% of global rare earth production. Past export restrictions and diplomatic tensions have prompted Japan to actively diversify its procurement channels.

In this context, the European Union (EU) extended an olive branch to Japan at the end of last year, proposing joint development of Greenland's rare earth resources. This mission marks a significant step in Japan's broader strategy to secure stable, alternative sources of critical minerals and reduce reliance on a single supplier.