Japan is strengthening its maritime security by introducing SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet across its fleet of large Coast Guard patrol vessels. The move, set to begin in fiscal 2025, reflects Tokyo’s growing focus on reliable communications as geopolitical tensions escalate in the East China Sea.
Expanding Starlink Across the Fleet
According to a report from Nikkei Asia, 66 of the Japan Coast Guard’s largest patrol ships will be equipped with Starlink by the end of fiscal 2025, which concludes on March 31, 2026. Another 16 ships are scheduled to follow the next year, broadening the scope of the upgrade.
In addition, all four hydrographic survey vessels—responsible for seafloor mapping—will also be outfitted with the system.
These ships frequently patrol the waters around the Senkaku Islands, an area administered by Japan but also claimed by China as the Diaoyu Islands. Chinese vessels have routinely entered the region, increasing the need for Japan to maintain secure, real-time communication with its maritime forces.
Significant Investment in Secure Communications
For fiscal 2025, Japan has earmarked 4.26 billion yen (C$39M/US$29M) to implement Starlink across its patrol fleet. The funding also includes the installation of upgraded encryption systems and continued research into countering cyberattacks.
Until now, the Coast Guard has relied on stationary satellite services and wireless networks to stay connected. These systems, however, are vulnerable to disruptions caused by weather or deliberate interference during conflicts. By contrast, Starlink’s constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites offers low-latency, high-speed internet that is far more resilient.
Starlink’s Proven Track Record in Japan
Starlink has already demonstrated its effectiveness in Japan. The system played a vital role in restoring communications during the aftermath of the 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake, when terrestrial networks were severely damaged. Its adoption has since expanded into the civilian sector as well, with Japanese airline Zipair using Starlink to provide in-flight Wi-Fi.
Related Stories:
• KDDI brings Starlink to overnight ferry service in Japan
• KDDI teams up with SpaceX to bring Starlink-powered cellular service to Japan
• Japan Becomes First Country to Offer Starlink Satellite Data on Smartphones
For the Coast Guard, the benefits go beyond simple connectivity. Starlink’s speed and reliability will enhance coordination during patrol missions, search-and-rescue efforts, and responses to incursions in contested waters. It also provides the government with an additional layer of cyber and physical security against increasingly sophisticated threats.
