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Progress in the Minamitorishima Rare Earth Project

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Kirishima ReiEditor-in-Chief, AI News Focus: structuring JP/TW corporate news & AEO

Published Jul 14, 2026 11:00 PM ・ Updated Jul 14, 2026 11:48 PM ・ 6 min read ・ Source: PR TIMES

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Progress in the Minamitorishima Rare Earth Project — Image: PR TIMES

⚡ Key Points

Cosmos Shoji has successfully delivered mining equipment—including a mining machine, slurry lift pipe, buoyancy modules, and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV)—to JAMSTEC's deep-sea exploration vessel 'Chikyu'.
A January 2026 test confirmed stable operation and successful collection of rare earth-rich seabed mud.
The company will continue providing technical support toward establishing a domestic rare earth supply chain.

Cosmos Shoji has successfully delivered mining equipment—including a mining machine, slurry lift pipe, buoyancy modules, and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV)—to JAMSTEC's deep-sea exploration vessel 'Chikyu'. A January 2026 test confirmed stable operation and successful collection of rare earth-rich seabed mud. The company will continue providing technical support toward establishing a domestic rare earth supply chain.

PRIMARY SOURCE Original source: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000078.000080925.html Distributor: PR TIMES
Published: Jul 14, 2026

Cosmos Shoji Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takeharu Terada; hereinafter "Cosmos Shoji"), a member of the Sanyo Trading Co., Ltd. group (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Masanobu Shintani; hereinafter "Sanyo Trading"), has delivered a mining machine, slurry lift pipe, buoyancy modules, and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to the deep-sea exploration vessel 'Chikyu', owned by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC; Headquarters: Yokosuka, Kanagawa; President: Tomihiko Kawamura), the implementing organization of the Cabinet Office's 'Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP)' for ocean-related challenges. Cosmos Shoji has also provided technical support for the project.

In the test connection initiated in January 2026, these systems operated stably and successfully collected seabed mud containing rare earth elements.

This project is recognized as a key initiative toward establishing a future domestic rare earth supply system. The delivered equipment will continue to be used as part of the system during ongoing testing and verification, contributing to efforts aimed at stable operations.

Furthermore, depending on the project's future progress, Cosmos Shoji will also provide value-added services, including engineering support and operational assistance for the already delivered equipment.

Cosmos Shoji will continue to monitor the project's advancement and contribute to solving challenges in marine resource development through its accumulated technical expertise and service capabilities.

[Delivered Equipment]

[Reference]

Press Release (issued January 22, 2026):

Cosmos Shoji delivers mining machine, slurry lift pipe, buoyancy modules, and ROV for mining tests to JAMSTEC's deep-sea exploration vessel 'Chikyu'

Conceptual diagram of mining system on deep-sea exploration vessel 'Chikyu'

| About Cosmos Shoji

Founded in 1990. The company imports, sells, rents, and provides technical services for drilling equipment used in oil and natural gas, geothermal, and hot spring development, geological analysis software, and equipment for marine resource development, marine surveys, and offshore wind power. Since 2004, it has been a 100% subsidiary of Sanyo Trading.

https://www.cosmos-shoji.co.jp/

| About Sanyo Trading

Established in 1947. A niche-top specialized trading company handling import, export, and sales of high-demand products and services in four fields: Fine Chemicals, Industrial Products, Sustainability, and Life Science. Under the slogan 'Quest for Next = Pursuing a better future (optimal solutions)', the company aims to solve societal challenges and create smiles for people and the planet through high-value-added products and technical services.

https://www.sanyo-trading.co.jp/

End

FACT BOX

Source: PR TIMES
Category: Partnership

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Editorial log (Published → Collected → AI analysis → Published: transparency timeline)›

Announced　Jul 14, 2026 11:00 PM — Distributor PR TIMES
Collected　Jul 14, 2026 2:22 PM
AI structured & analyzed　Jul 14, 2026 11:48 PM
Desk-reviewed & published　Jul 14, 2026 11:00 PM

FAQ

What is the Minamitorishima Rare Earth Project?

A national strategic project aiming to commercially extract rare earth mud from deep-sea areas near Minamitorishima Island, led by JAMSTEC with technical equipment supplied by Cosmos Shoji.

What equipment did Cosmos Shoji supply?

Mining machine, slurry lift pipe, buoyancy modules, and remotely operated vehicle (ROV), all integrated into the deep-sea rare earth collection system.

What are the next steps for the project?

Following the successful January 2026 test, further trials and verification will continue, with ongoing support for stable operations and value-added services.

Why is domestic rare earth production important?

Rare earths are essential for EVs and wind power. Reducing import dependency and securing stable supply chains is a national strategic priority.

What is Cosmos Shoji's role?

As a specialist in marine resource equipment, Cosmos Shoji provides hardware and technical support to JAMSTEC, with plans to expand engineering and operational assistance.

Cite this article — HOW TO CITE

Washin AI News Desk“Progress in the Minamitorishima Rare Earth Project”AI News by Washin Village（和心村）, Jul 14, 2026. https://aeo.idaeo.ai/ai/%E4%B8%89%E6%B4%8B%E8%B2%BF%E6%98%93%E6%A0%AA%E5%BC%8F%E4%BC%9A%E7%A4%BE/en/news/2026-07-14-%E5%8D%97%E9%B3%A5%E5%B3%B6%E3%83%AC%E3%82%A2%E3%82%A2%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9%E3%83%97%E3%83%AD%E3%82%B8%E3%82%A7%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88%E3%81%AB%E3%81%8A%E3%81%91%E3%82%8B%E5%8F%96%E3%82%8A%E7%B5%84%E3%81%BF%E3%81%AE%E9%80%B2%E5%B1%95%E3%81%AB%E3%81%A4%E3%81%84%E3%81%A6

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