Japan’s Minister of Transport has announced the government’s initial investments in the shipbuilding industry, aiming to revitalize a sector that has seen a significant decline in market share due to competition from South Korea and China. Minister Yasuyuki Kaneko emphasized that shipbuilding is a priority area in Japan’s growth strategy, with a goal to double the country’s shipbuilding volume by 2035.
In 2025, the Japan Ship Exporters’ Association (JSEA) reported a 16.5% decrease in total orders, resulting in Japan holding approximately 9% of global orders for ships. To combat this trend, the government plans to invest around 1 trillion yen ($6.4 billion) through public-private partnerships. Initial investments totaling 600 billion yen ($3.8 billion) will go to Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United Corp, and Namura Shipbuilding, with government subsidies aimed at expanding and modernizing their facilities and technologies for advanced ocean shipping.
Minister Kaneko noted that these investments are just the beginning, representing the first phase of a larger plan by various businesses to boost the industry.
