TOKYO Japan is preparing to develop high-precision nautical charts for key maritime choke points across Southeast Asia to improve shipping safety and strengthen regional maritime security.
According to the plan, Japan’s Foreign Ministry will work with neighboring countries to create detailed charts for five strategic sea areas, including the Molucca Passage, Ombai Strait, Sunda Strait, Surigao Strait, and Balabac Strait. The project will involve hydrographic surveys, seabed mapping and the installation of navigational aids, with the completed charts expected to be publicly released by the coastal nations.
The initiative, estimated to cost around ¥2 billion, will be financed through Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) for the Philippines, Indonesia and Timor-Leste. The funding is expected to be included in the government’s next fiscal year budget proposal.
The project aims to secure alternative shipping routes for Japan, as more than 80% of crude oil and cargo shipments from the Middle East currently pass through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore. In the event of disruptions, alternative routes through Indonesia and the Philippines would help maintain stable maritime trade.
HanoiPost reports that beyond improving navigation, the initiative is expected to strengthen regional maritime security by supporting disaster response, protecting supply chains and helping co
