"Stop Wiretapping"... Japan to Investigate and Replace Chinese Components in Submarine Communication Cables

Support for purchasing cable repair vessels also considered... "Chinese listening devices found in Okinawa in 2023"

Taiwanese authorities investigating a submarine cable damage incident in February [EPA Yonhap News photo. Reproduction and database prohibited]

The Japanese government is pushing to investigate and replace components and equipment used in submarine communication cables with non-Chinese alternatives, the Nikkei newspaper reported on the 15th.

By March of next year, the Japanese government will investigate Japanese companies' communication systems, including submarine cables, repeaters, and control devices, to identify any Chinese-made components.

If Chinese-made critical components are found in repeaters and other equipment, the government plans to encourage companies to purchase them from other manufacturers.

While the submarine cable market is dominated by three major companies—Japan's NEC, U.S.'s SubCom, and France's Alcatel—holding over 90% market share, HMN, formerly a subsidiary of China's Huawei, has recently emerged as a significant player.

The Japanese government is also considering requesting the U.S. authorities to ease regulations if new U.S. regulations make it difficult for Japanese companies to export, as part of its policy to exclude Chinese companies from the submarine cable supply chain.

In addition, plans are being considered to provide subsidies to companies that undertake submarine cable repair work if they purchase dedicated vessels.

The Nikkei pointed out that the Japanese government is pursuing these submarine cable inspections to prevent wiretapping and strengthen economic security.

The newspaper reported that a 2023 English-language intelligence publication for U.S. forces stationed in Okinawa had reported the discovery of Chinese listening devices in cables laid in the waters near Okinawa.

Furthermore, a series of cable damage incidents around Taiwan and in the Baltic Sea since late last year appear to have influenced Japan's submarine cable inspections.

"As an island nation, Japan relies on submarine cables for 99% of its international communications," Nikkei explained. "If damage occurs, lengthy recovery times could significantly impact public life and economic activities, and even slight communication delays can be critical for financial transactions."

Meanwhile, Nikkei reported that the Japanese government plans to expand the organizational structure of its cabinet office's space-related divisions starting in fiscal year 2026 (April 2026-March 2027).

The government plans to double the organization's staffing by appointing lawyers and engineers, and increase the budget to approximately 600 billion yen (about 5.6 trillion won), which is 40% more than in fiscal year 2025. Yonhap News