Japan to Boost Shipbuilding With AI and Robotics

The Japanese government announced measures on April 10, 2026, to promote public-private investments in the shipbuilding sector, focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence and robotics to revitalize domestic ship repairs.

These initiatives are part of a broader objective by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to revive the industry. Transport Minister Yasushi Kaneko stated during a ministry meeting on April 10, 2026, that the government will lead efforts to contribute to a strong Japanese economy.

Focus on Domestic Ship Repair

A primary goal of the new measures is to improve the domestic ship repair system to ensure stable maritime transportation. Currently, the majority of repairs conducted in Japan are performed on domestic vessels.

In contrast, approximately 90 percent of ships used for international routes, including oil tankers, are repaired abroad. The government intends to utilize AI and robots to address this gap and bring more of this work back to domestic facilities.

The shift toward AI-powered robotics is also intended to solve labor shortages within the shipbuilding industry, which is considered vital to the national economy.

Funding and Growth Targets

To finance these investment promotion measures, the government is utilizing a 120-billion-yen fund for revitalizing the shipbuilding sector. This funding is included in the fiscal 2025 supplementary budget.

The government has established a target to double annual ship construction by 2035. To support this growth, officials have acknowledged the necessity of bolstering the supply of critical vessel components, such as propellers and sonar equipment.

Shipbuilding has been designated as one of 17 priority investment areas under a growth strategy that the government plans to compile in the summer of 2026.

Strategic Developments and Infrastructure

Beyond repair and construction targets, the Japanese government plans to continue discussions regarding a framework for the construction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.

The push for technological advancement in the sector follows earlier reports from January 3, 2026, indicating that Japan would begin supporting the development of AI-powered robots for domestic shipbuilding to mitigate labor shortages.

These domestic efforts are occurring alongside broader strategic goals to regain control of the global shipbuilding sector and provide assistance to shipbuilding capabilities in Southeast Asia through financial assistance via the OECD and surveys.