Foreign Media: Japan to Invest 37 Trillion Yen in Industrial Upgrading, Aiming to Reduce Dependence on China for Ship Repair
Japan's Prime Minister Asahi Sanae cabinet has recently approved an industrial upgrading plan totaling 37 trillion yen (approximately $228 billion USD), covering 17 strategic sectors including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and shipping. Around 100 billion yen (about $616 million USD) has been specifically allocated for ship repair, with funding to be raised through public-private partnerships and investment spanning until 2040.
Currently, China handles approximately 60% of global ship repair services, and the majority of Japanese ships are also repaired in China, while Japan’s domestic capacity can only meet about 7% of its ship repair demand.
Analysts point out that this policy shift is closely tied to the deteriorating relations between Japan and China. A professor of economics at Willamette University stated that Prime Minister Asahi Sanae has taken a notably tougher stance toward China since assuming office, viewing China as an economic security threat. Rebuilding domestic ship repair capabilities is seen as a crucial step to reduce strategic vulnerability.
Yamamoto Katsu, Director of the Strategic and Deterrence Program at the Japan Peace Foundation, emphasized that maritime capability is of vital strategic importance, and reducing over-reliance on any single country has become a top priority for Tokyo authorities.
Original Article: toutiao.com/article/1869522010043404/
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