Japanese government may subsidize cost for NEC to acquire 2 cable-laying vessels
NEC, a major Asian undersea cable group, could receive up to $500 million in Japanese government subsidies to purchase two specialized cable-laying ships, addressing national security and supply risks. The first vessel may launch by 2027, strengthening Japan’s digital infrastructure autonomy as global competition intensifies.
NEC chosen to supply cable for 8,900 km East Asian submarine cable system
NEC will build the 8,900-km AUG East submarine cable, linking Singapore and Japan with key Asian markets. Driven by surging AI-enabled traffic, the Singtel-led consortium—including AWS and Microsoft—plans completion by 2029. The high-count fiber system will deliver resilient, high-capacity infrastructure vital for East Asia’s digital growth.