Shipbuilding-related companies in Kyushu and Yamaguchi have announced a series of large-scale investments aimed at reviving Japan's shipbuilding industry, which once boasted a global share of approximately 50%. Oshima Shipbuilding disclosed approximately ¥18 billion in capital investment to strengthen production at its Koyagi plant in Saikai, Nagasaki Prefecture, including approximately ¥6.1 billion in government subsidies.
Shipbuilders based in Kyushu and Yamaguchi are expanding capital investment against a backdrop of momentum to revive the industry. With the importance of shipbuilding and marine transportation being reassessed in Japan, a country surrounded by sea on all sides, the government has set out a policy of providing strategic fiscal support.
Oshima Shipbuilding disclosed an investment of approximately ¥18 billion to increase production at its Koyagi plant in Nagasaki City. Approximately ¥6.1 billion of this is a government subsidy, and the company aims to increase production from the current 4 vessels per year to 10 by around 2031.
The investment includes improvements to buildings and cranes, and capacity enhancements are also planned at the head office plant in Saikai. President Yamaguchi said the company specializes in medium-sized bulk carriers and aims to contribute to the expansion of Japan's shipbuilding capacity.
The government is seeking to revitalize the shipbuilding industry and has announced plans for total public- and private-sector investment on the scale of ¥1 trillion, while strengthening support for related companies. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries announced plans to build a new plant with an investment of approximately ¥100 billion at its Shimonoseki Shipyard, with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism scheduled to provide a ¥40 billion subsidy.