Japan to Assist Shipbuilding Capabilities in Southeast Asia Nations Through Surveys, Financial Assistance Via OECD

By Yuya Yokobori / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondent

13:05 JST, April 7, 2026

LONDON — Japan will team up with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to support the shipbuilding industries of Southeast Asian nations, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned.

According to OECD sources, the organization plans to conduct field surveys to assess the conditions of relevant nations and compile a report, with Japan providing financial assistance, to help countries in the region build capacity.

The move is aimed at countering China’s increasing presence, whose shipbuilding sector is expanding in the region.

The OECD will invite representatives from Thailand, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations to its headquarters in Paris on Wednesday and Thursday. Japan will also join them to agree on conducting field surveys and to prepare a report on their findings. According to the sources, Japan’s funding is estimated at around €250,000 (about ¥46 million).

The report, which is scheduled to be completed by around March next year, will mainly analyze industrial infrastructure, supply chains and export capabilities of the shipbuilding industries in Southeast Asian countries. It will also make proposals for modernizing their industries with an aim to help them strengthen economic security.

Based on the report’s findings, the OECD plans to provide technical assistance to Southeast Asian nations. In addition to financial assistance, the government is considering sharing its expertise in decarbonization with these countries through the OECD. The initiative is expected to foster relationships between Japan and Southeast Asian shipbuilding sectors, paving the way for Japanese shipbuilders to expand into the region.

The government has become increasingly alarmed by China’s growing presence in Southeast Asia’s shipbuilding market. According to the OECD, China accounts for more than 50% of the world’s completed ship volumes and is expanding in the Southeast Asian market.

China has been actively acquiring operating rights for ports and other facilities as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, its extensive economic zone project.

“The envisaged report will also serve as a warning against risks that arise from investment from China,” said a diplomatic source.