Japan to Develop Unmanned Ships to Counter Chinese Maritime Expansion

The Japanese government intends to initiate the development of unmanned ships for the Coast Guard beginning in the next fiscal year. This initiative aims to enhance maritime monitoring capabilities and address the increasing Chinese presence in the waters surrounding Japan.

According to informed sources speaking to Asia News, the government plans to allocate funding for this project within the preliminary budget draft for the upcoming fiscal year. The plan is also set to be included in the three national security documents scheduled for review by the end of the year.

The unmanned vessels will operate alongside patrol boats and drones to improve surveillance of distant maritime areas. This development comes amid intensified Chinese maneuvers near Japanese islands, particularly the Senkaku Islands in Okinawa Prefecture.

Currently, Japan operates five drones for aerial surveillance, but their flight duration is limited. The introduction of unmanned ships is expected to enable longer surveillance missions in regions far from Japan’s coastlines.

Development of Autonomous Ship Technologies

Under the plan, the government will collaborate with domestic shipbuilding companies starting in 2027 to develop autonomous ship operation technologies. These vessels will be equipped with monitoring systems based on cameras and radars, with considerations to include capabilities to halt suspicious ships if necessary.

Japan aims to conduct operational trials of these unmanned ships by 2032, aligning with the implementation of new international regulations governing unmanned vessel operations.

Addressing Maritime Security Challenges

This initiative arises amid growing Japanese concerns over Chinese maritime activities. Chinese government vessels have continued approaching Japan’s territorial waters, while the Chinese Coast Guard recently announced "law enforcement patrols" near Taiwan.

At the same time, Japan’s Coast Guard faces a shortage of personnel, with 665 vacancies reported at the end of fiscal year 2024. This shortage is attributed to increased workloads and extended service periods aboard ships.

The Japanese government views the deployment of unmanned ships as a means to alleviate pressure on Coast Guard personnel by assigning them surveillance duties in areas with limited maritime traffic. Additionally, these vessels are expected to support search and rescue operations and monitor foreign ship movements.