Global leadership in gold production is not fixed but shifts over time due to factors such as technological advancements, resource development, and policy changes. South Africa was once synonymous with gold mining, but today, China holds the title of the world’s largest gold producer, followed by Russia, Australia, the United States, and Canada. While Japan does not feature on this list, it has still drawn the attention of numerous international gold exploration companies, who optimistically predict Japan could become a major gold-producing nation. This seems contradictory, given Japan’s limited natural resources and heavy reliance on imported energy. However, historical records show Japan has mined gold, silver, and coal in the past. In the late 13th century, Marco Polo described Japan in The Travels of Marco Polo as a land rich in treasures, where even palaces and houses were adorned with gold, earning it the moniker “Land of Gold.”
Historical records of gold, silver, and coal mining, coupled with the interest of international gold exploration companies, suggest that Japan may still possess untapped gold reserves. Before World War II, Japan had over 500 gold mines, but wartime efforts shifted the focus to iron and copper mining, leading to the closure of many gold mines. Some were reopened post-war, but by the 1970s, most were abandoned due to insufficient yields. Today, only the Hishikari Gold Mine in Kagoshima Prefecture remains operational, producing approximately six tons annually, with an estimated 40 years of remaining reserves. No new gold deposits have been discovered since then. Nevertheless, the high gold content of the Hishikari mine, coupled with advancements in mining technology, has drawn numerous international exploration companies to Japan, confident in their ability to uncover new deposits.
In 2012, Japan amended its Mining Act to allow foreign companies to explore mineral resources. By revising the law and opening resources to foreign exploration and development, the government demonstrated its proactive stance on resource development and economic growth. Five foreign companies have since explored 42 former gold mining sites across Japan, but no significant discoveries have been made to date. While some companies remain convinced of Japan’s potential as the “Land of Gold,” whether the nation can reclaim this glory remains uncertain. Moreover, new exploration activities have sparked public discontent due to disruptions to tourism, leading to criticism of government policies and scrutiny of foreign companies’ qualifications. These challenges highlight the difficulties foreign companies face in their quest for gold in Japan.
As the global gold production landscape continues to evolve, Japan’s absence from the ranks of leading gold-producing nations has not dampened the enthusiasm of international exploration companies. Japan’s rich history of gold mining and its government’s initiatives, such as opening resources through legislative amendments, demonstrate a forward-looking approach to the gold industry. However, despite extensive exploration efforts by foreign companies, no breakthrough discoveries have been made. Public protests and policy constraints further complicate the situation, casting uncertainty over Japan’s future as a gold-producing powerhouse. Will Japan once again become the “Land of Gold”? For now, it remains too soon to say, but the situation warrants ongoing attention.
