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Japan found a rare-earth mineral deposit that can supply the world for centuries. The researchers found the rare material off the coast of Minamitorishima Island that is 1,150 miles of southeast Tokyo. Such discovery means a long term supply for the Japanese semiconductor industry. 

It is also a boon for Japan after China withheld the shipments of mineral deposits because of the Senkaku island dispute. The large treasure uncovered a seabed that contains 16 million tons of mineral deposits equivalent to nearly 1000 years of supplies of rare-earth metals such as dysprosium, yttrium, europium, and terbium.

Tags: rare-earth metals, mineral discovery, Japanese discovery, Japanese semiconductor industry, Minamitorishima island, mineral deposits, seabed discovery