Tokyo, July 24 (Jiji Press)--The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology said Friday that about 54 pct of the rare earths collected off Minamitorishima, Japan's easternmost island, were medium and heavy rare earths, which are essential for high-tech products.

Move marks potential step to reduce reliance on China-centric supply chain

Japan will conduct extensive rare earth mining tests in February. These tests follow successful sample recovery from deep Pacific seabed locations. The nation seeks to reduce…