Details
💸 Contract Value: Japan is investing JPY 4.26 billion (USD 29 million) to equip its ships with Starlink systems and encrypted communications gear.
🚢 Fleet: Starting in 2025, 66 large patrol vessels will be upgraded, followed a year later by 16 more, including ships for surveying and reconnaissance.
đź“ŤÂ Hotspot: Particularly relevant are operations around the Senkaku Islands, where confrontations with Chinese vessels occur regularly.
📡 Advantage: Starlink’s network of thousands of low-Earth-orbit satellites offers fast internet with low latency — even in bad weather or under military interference.
🌏 Expansion: SpaceX continues to expand Starlink with new launches and is seeking entry into markets like India, while China pushes ahead with its own projects.
Big Picture
With this deal, Japan is upgrading its Coast Guard and gaining more security for patrols in disputed waters. For Starlink, it’s another step toward expanding in Asia and growing its global reach. The agreement also highlights the race for dominance in satellite communications, where China is rapidly building out its own infrastructure.
The China Survival Guide for Western Businesses
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