US and Japan set out plans for seabed mineral development

The two governments said "secure, resilient, and diversified critical mineral supply chains are essential to the prosperity and national security of both countries." A US-Japan working group met on November 11 and 12 in Toyama, Japan, with talks on "Japan’s rare-earth mud project near Minamitorishima Island and its polymetallic nodules project". Plans include securing processing capacity "among trusted partners".