Announced details
Autonomous navigation functions equivalent to Level 4 autonomous operation. Multiple vessels can be monitored and supported simultaneously.
As of 27 March 2026, 4 demonstration vessels had begun commercial operations as autonomous vessels.
Tokyo Keiki participates in the DFFAS+ consortium and developed the vessel control functions for the demonstration vessel Genbu. It jointly developed the DTC with Nabtesco Corporation. The Nippon Foundation promotes the project, while ClassNK serves as the technology certification body. The other parties are involved in managing and operating the demonstration vessels or developing and installing shore-based support centers.
The Nippon Foundation is a public-interest incorporated foundation promoting MEGURI2040. DFFAS+ is a consortium comprising 53 Japanese companies, led by Japan Marine Science. FURUNO ELECTRIC has established a permanent shore-based support center at its facility in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture. No detailed company profiles are provided for the other counterparties.
MLIT certification as autonomous vessels (passing ship inspections)
ClassNK Technology Qualification (TQ)
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK)
Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture (permanent shore support center), No location is provided for the mobile shore-based support center
In this announcement the company addresses none of Contract Value / Offering price / Impact on Business Performance.
The Nippon Foundation, as of March 2026 / MLIT materials (reference for the definition of Level 4 autonomous operation)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Names of Products / Services Covered | Autonomous vessels, Digital Telemetric Controller (DTC), DTC Information Display (DIF), Electronic Inclinometer (TI-100 series), Joystick Controller (MJS-9000), Takeover Unit (mini steering wheel), MEGURI2040, DFFAS+ |
| Counterparty | Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, The Nippon Foundation, Nabtesco Corporation, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), （株）イコーズ, 鈴与海運（株）, 国際両備フェリー（株）, 川崎近海汽船(株), 井本商運(株), 古野電気株式会社, Japan Radio Co., Ltd. |
| Counterparty overview | The Nippon Foundation is a public-interest incorporated foundation promoting MEGURI2040. DFFAS+ is a consortium comprising 53 Japanese companies, led by Japan Marine Science. FURUNO ELECTRIC has established a permanent shore-based support center at its facility in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture. No detailed company profiles are provided for the other counterparties. |
| Relationship with the Company | Tokyo Keiki participates in the DFFAS+ consortium and developed the vessel control functions for the demonstration vessel Genbu. It jointly developed the DTC with Nabtesco Corporation. The Nippon Foundation promotes the project, while ClassNK serves as the technology certification body. The other parties are involved in managing and operating the demonstration vessels or developing and installing shore-based support centers. |
| Launch date | 27 March 2026 (actual date on which the 4 demonstration vessels began commercial operations as autonomous vessels) |
| Applicable area | Domestic container freight transport, Passenger transport and remote-island routes, Domestic RORO cargo transport, Autonomous vessel operations and remote-navigation support, Domestic logistics and transport infrastructure |
| Award/certification name | MLIT certification as autonomous vessels (passing ship inspections), ClassNK Technology Qualification (TQ) |
| Awarding / certifying body | Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) |
| Location | Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture (permanent shore support center), No location is provided for the mobile shore-based support center |
| Location scale | 4 demonstration vessels, Two-center structure comprising permanent and mobile centers, Mobile shore-based support center: approximately 7 meters in length, Genbu: approximately 134 meters in length; 700 TEU, Olympia Dream Seto: approximately 66 meters in length; passenger capacity of 500, Dai 2 Hokuren Maru: approximately 173 meters in length; 11,413 gross tons, Mikage: 96.81 meters in length; 245 TEU; 749 gross tons |
| Quantitative Effects | Autonomous navigation functions equivalent to Level 4 autonomous operation. Multiple vessels can be monitored and supported simultaneously. |
| Usage history | As of 27 March 2026, 4 demonstration vessels had begun commercial operations as autonomous vessels. |
| Source | The Nippon Foundation, as of March 2026 / MLIT materials (reference for the definition of Level 4 autonomous operation) |
Items this document does not state (5)
These are items the company does not state in this document. We do not leave them blank, nor fill them in from other sources or by inference.
The reasons the company gives
The company's own explanation, not something inferred from the numbers.To address challenges including crew shortages caused by Japan's declining birthrate and aging population, accidents resulting from human error, labor shortages and workload pressures in the domestic shipping industry, and to support stable domestic logistics and transport infrastructure.