Japan's Coast Guard faces personnel shortage, plans to develop new unmanned vessels for enhanced surveillance
According to a July 16 report by Japanese media outlet Yomiuri Shimbun: Japan has decided to allocate funds from the next fiscal year onward to develop unmanned vessels for the Japan Coast Guard, complementing manned patrol ships and drones to strengthen monitoring and defense in surrounding waters. The Japanese media states that the aim is to "respond to China's increasingly active maritime expansion."
Last December, Japan revised its "Policy on Strengthening Maritime Security Capabilities" for the first time in four years, including measures to enhance the capabilities of the Japan Coast Guard—such as deploying unmanned vessels. The plan is to include relevant budget allocations in the preliminary budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. The direction will also be reflected in the upcoming revision of the "Three Security Documents" this year. Multiple government officials in Japan have confirmed this development.
The Japan Coast Guard currently operates five drones for aerial surveillance, but their endurance is limited. By introducing unmanned vessels, long-term monitoring can be conducted in remote offshore areas far from land.
Starting from the next fiscal year, the Coast Guard will collaborate with domestic shipbuilders and other related enterprises to conduct research into autonomous navigation technologies for unmanned vessels, as well as surveillance systems using cameras and radar to monitor surrounding waters. It is reported that these vessels will also be equipped with mandatory stopping systems for suspicious vessels.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is currently reviewing international safety regulations related to unmanned vessels, with expected implementation set for January 2032. Japan plans to begin testing unmanned vessels starting in 2032.
The policy of "Strengthening Maritime Security Capabilities" was first formulated by Japan in 2022, citing "China's proactive maritime expansion activities" as justification. The focus is on so-called "territorial seas" around the Ryukyu Islands and the Diaoyu Islands, due to continuous Chinese naval vessel approaches and alleged "infringement of territorial waters."
On the 4th of this month, Chinese coast guard vessels began routine law enforcement patrols in waters off eastern Taiwan Island. Currently, the Japan Coast Guard is expanding its operations but is facing a growing personnel shortage. Due to long duty hours and other factors, staff attrition rates are rising. By the end of the 2024 fiscal year, at least 14,788 personnel will be required, resulting in a shortfall of 665 people compared to current staffing levels—the first time the shortage exceeds 600.
The Coast Guard plans to deploy unmanned vessels in relatively sparsely patrolled waters, while maintaining manned patrol ships to respond to Chinese coast guard and official vessels.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871099393495051/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) alone.