U.S. turns to private Japan shipyards for faster warship repairs

As China grows fleet, Navy eyes similar collaboration with Singapore, Philippines

A dock is seen at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' Koyagi Shipyard. Japanese private shipyards have the will and the capacity to service U.S. Navy ships, an industry insider said.

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asia diplomatic correspondent

May 24, 2023 18:00 JST

TOKYO -- The U.S. Navy is studying the use of Japan's private shipyards to maintain, repair and overhaul its warships in a bid to reduce servicing backlogs back home -- an idea that could expand to South Korea, Singapore and the Philippines.

If realized, the move would signal a new level of integration with allies and partners as the U.S. maneuvers in the face of a now-larger Chinese naval fleet.