Does Japan Mine Gold or Diamonds? Not Significantly

No. Japan is not a significant producer of gold or diamonds.

What Japan Does Mine

• Copper – Historically major (Ashio, Besshi); now mostly imported.
• Silver – Byproduct of copper/lead-zinc.
• Zinc & Lead – Kamioka, Toyoha (now closed/declining).
• Limestone – Abundant; cement, steel flux.
• Silica, clay, iodine – Industrial minerals.

Gold & Diamonds

• Gold: Trace amounts in polymetallic deposits (e.g., Hishikari mine—high-grade but small, ~6–7 t/yr). Not a major global producer.
• Diamonds: None. No kimberlite/lamproite pipes. All industrial/gem diamonds imported.

Why?

Japan's geology (volcanic island arc) favors hydrothermal base/precious metal deposits, not diamond-forming cratons or large gold systems. Post-WWII policy prioritized import security over domestic mining. Recycling (urban mining) now supplies significant gold/silver.