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Maritime

OKI Announces New Sonar Production Facility to Capture Dual-…

On April 14, Japanese telecommunications firm Oki Electric Co., Ltd. announced that it has begun building a new facility to boost production of underwater acoustic sensors and systems.In a press release,[1] OKI explained that the new production facility, to be built at the company’s Numazu Plant in Shizuoka Prefecture, is intended to meet growing dual-use demand from both the defense and civilian…

05/12/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime East Asia Business

Japan’s Coast Guard Reveals USV for Hazardous Gas Detection…

On April 4, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) revealed that it has been actively developing an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) capable of supporting remote detection of poisonous gases and other hazardous substances.In a press release,[1] the JCG explained that the unmanned boat will now undergo verification tests at the Yokohama Maritime Disaster Prevention Base with the National Strike Team - the JCG’…

04/27/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime Ship Drone Disaster Prevention East Asia Government

NYK Invests in USV Startup Oceanic Constellations for Mariti…

NYK Line, a major Japanese shipping company, has announced that it has made an equity investment into Oceanic Constellations Inc., a Japanese ocean-technology startup that develops unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and simulation technologies for marine environments.In a February 6 press release,[1] NYK explains that its investment aims to support efforts by Oceanic Constellations (OC) to establi…

03/03/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime Space Drone East Asia Business

Japan’s First OSA Infrastructure Project with the Philippin…

On January 15, the Japanese government signed an agreement with the Philippines to construct boathouses and slipways for rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs) used by the Philippine Navy under the Official Security Assistance (OSA) program administered by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The capacity-building initiative[1] with Manila has been heralded by Tokyo as the first infrastructure proj…

02/02/2026 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime East Asia Southeast Asia Government

New Details Emerge on JMSDF Port for Strategically Vital Ama…

Last month, Japanese media reported new scheduling details for a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) port facility planned for Amami Oshima, the largest island in the Amami archipelago located between Kyushu and Okinawa and considered a strategic site for maritime surveillance in the Pacific Ocean and logistical support to Japan’s southwestern Nansei Islands.According to the regional news r…

12/22/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime East Asia Government

Defense Minister Koizumi Hints at Nuclear-Powered Submarine …

Japan’s new defense minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, has indicated that the government may move forward with discussions on acquiring nuclear-powered submarines as a next-generation propulsion system and as an alternative to the diesel-electric vessels currently operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.Defense Minister Koizumi made the remarks during a Tokyo Broadcasting System Television Inc…

11/21/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime East Asia Government

IHI, Tokyo University Collaborate on Next-Gen Maritime Commu…

On October 27, IHI Corporation announced a new industry-academia collaboration with the Shibasaki Laboratory at the University of Tokyo to advance joint research on the VHF Data Exchange System (VDES), a digital communications system that is expected to significantly enhance maritime navigation safety and security by connecting vessels at sea, ground radar stations and coastal radio stations with …

11/17/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime Satellite East Asia Business

Oceanic Constellations Inc. Advances Development of Networke…

In recent months, Japanese maritime technology startup Oceanic Constellations Inc. has been gaining attention in Japan for its development of a swarm-controlled constellation of small unmanned surface vehicles (USV) designed to provide persistent at sea surveillance and monitoring applications. The startup, founded in November 2023 and based in Kamakura, aims to network a mass-produced constellati…

11/14/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime Drone ISR East Asia Business

Japan Defense Ministry Panel Calls for Enhanced Defense, Eli…

On September 19, an expert panel convened by Japan’s Ministry of Defense released recommendations on how the country should fundamentally strengthen its defense capabilities in response to China’s expanding military presence in the Pacific, Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, and both countries’ cooperation with North Korea. Established in February 2024 under the Headquarters for the Realiza…

10/06/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime East Asia Government

Japan’s Successful Bid to Australia with the Upgraded Mogam…

On August 5, Australia announced that it will purchase 11 of Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class multi-role stealth frigates as the preferred platform for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) future fleet of general purpose frigates, potentially marking Tokyo’s largest defense export contract to date during the post-war era.In a press release,[1] Australia’s Albanese government explained that “Mitsubi…

08/25/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime Ship Oceania East Asia Government

JMSDF Signs Trilateral Logistics Agreement with U.S. and Aus…

On July 11, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) signed a logistics cooperation agreement with the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy (RAN), marking the first such trilateral arrangement among the three maritime forces to enhance their logistical interoperability.The agreement was signed by JMSDF Rear Admiral Naoya HOSHI, Director General of Logistics Department, Maritime Staff Office, t…

07/28/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime Oceania North America East Asia

Japan Exploring Export of Used Abukuma-Class Destroyers to P…

On July 6, it was revealed that the Japanese government had reached an agreement with the Philippines to explore the possible transfer of six secondhand Abukuma-class destroyer escorts from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) to Manila, according to the Yomiuri.[1] The news report, subsequently echoed in an official statement by the Philippine Navy,[2] noted that if realized, the deal wo…

07/11/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime Ship East Asia Southeast Asia Government

P1 Patrol Aircraft Faces Engine and On-board System Issues, …

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s P1 maritime patrol aircraft are facing reduced operational availability, mainly due to persistent engine malfunctions caused by corrosion from salt-laden air, according to a report by the Board of Audit of Japan released on Friday, June 27.The P1, which is required to operate for extended periods at low altitudes over the ocean in order to monitor suspiciou…

07/04/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime Aircraft East Asia Government

Unmanned “Marine Drone” Demoed at Handover Ceremony of Jap…

On June 24, it was announced that the “Marine Drone”, an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) jointly developed by the Japan Multicopter Association (JMA) and Ichifuji Honten for dual-use defense and civilian maritime applications, was successfully demonstrated alongside Japan’s eighth Mogami-class frigate, JS Yubetsu, during the multi-mission vessel’s handover ceremony on June 19.In a press release…

06/27/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime Drone Disaster Prevention East Asia Business

Can Japan’s Icebreaker Technology Help Break the U.S. Tarif…

In recent weeks, Japan’s technological prowess in icebreakers—specialized vessels designed to break through ice and open navigable routes—has drawn attention as a potential bargaining chip in resolving the tariff deadlock with the United States, offering a way to enhance U.S. trade access and strategic presence in the Arctic. With Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations set to continue after a failed br…

06/27/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Maritime Ship North America East Asia Arctic

Tokyo Holds Second Strategic Meeting to Promote Frigate Bid …

On April 10, the Japan Ministry of Defense (JMOD) announced it had convened the second meeting of the “Government-Industry Joint Committee for the Promotion of Australia’s Next General Purpose Frigate Program.” This public-private committee, comprised of Japanese government ministries and industry representatives, aims to support Japan’s bid to supply Mogami-class stealth frigates to the Royal…

04/30/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Oceania Government Ship Maritime

Japan Coast Guard Conducts Training Exercise with Kyushu Ele…

On March 31, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) announced that it had conducted a training exercise at a Coast Guard station on Iki Island, a remote island in Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyushu, in collaboration with Kyushu Electric Power Co. The exercise, focused on the transportation of personnel, equipment, and materials in the event of a disaster, took place earlier in the month, on March 12.[1] This latest…

04/07/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government Maritime Disaster Prevention

“Japanese Aegis”-Equipped JS Akizuki Participates in Surve…

On March 21, the Japan Ministry of Defense Joint Staff Office announced the successful monitoring of movements by two Chinese Navy vessels in waters near Uotsuri Island in the Senkaku Islands and between Yonaguni Island and Taiwan. This maritime surveillance operation, conducted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) from March 16 to 20, leveraged the capabilities of JS Akizuki, a destro…

04/01/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Government Ship Maritime

Japan and EU Set to Conduct Joint Training for ASEAN Coast G…

On March 17, it was revealed that Japan is set to host a joint training session with the European Union (EU) at the end of the month for coast guard officials from Southeast Asian nations. The training is expected to focus on building capacity for dealing with "gray-zone” contingencies that fall short of armed conflict.[1]Japan and the EU are due to hold the training session in Bangkok, in cooper…

03/24/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

East Asia Southeast Asia Maritime Europe

NEC Secures ATLA Contract for Research into Anti-UUV Sonar T…

On March 17, it was revealed that Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) has signed a contract with communications giant NEC Corporation for research into "anti-UUV [Unmanned Underwater Vehicle] sonar technology." The contract, valued at 2.98 billion yen (approximately 20 million USD), was signed on January 17. This follows ATLA's initial public tender issued on May 29, 2024.NE…

03/19/2025 NSBT Japan Editorial Department

Drone East Asia Maritime

Ranking

AI Startup “Spakona” Wins ATLA Contract for UAV Teaming Technology

Japan to Promote Dual-Use Technologies for National Security

Subaru Delivers Experimental UAV to Japan’s ATLA for Manned-Unmanned Teaming Research

Japan Reveals New Details into Project for Collaborative UAVs Expected to Operate with Manned Fighter Jets

Tokyo Keiki Expands Defense-Related Operations with New Facility

[Now Open for Registration] NSBT Strategy Forum 2026 in Tokyo

Japan Exploring Export of Used Abukuma-Class Destroyers to Philippine Navy

Japan and the EU Hold First Defence Industry Dialogue, Pledge Dual-Use Collaboration

Fujitsu To Expand Defense Business in Europe as Japan Seeks Dual-Use Collaboration

MadeHere Inc. Enters Public-Private Partnership with U.S. Marine Corps’ Marine Depot Maintenance Command to Strengthen Indo-Pacific Sustainment

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