18 Leading Japanese Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Companies

Japan’s shipbuilding and heavy industries have been a driving force behind its modernization since the Meiji Restoration, its postwar reconstruction, and its period of rapid economic growth. From massive tankers to cutting-edge space rockets, they support Japan’s industrial foundation across a wide range of fields spanning land, sea, air, and even space. This article carefully selects 18 major companies (and related technologies and organizations) representing Japan’s shipbuilding and heavy industries, thoroughly explaining each company’s business activities, strengths, achievements, and future outlook.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) is a leading comprehensive heavy industry manufacturer in Japan, developing a wide range of businesses such as shipbuilding, aerospace, energy, and machinery. Founded in 1884, it began with shipbuilding and greatly contributed to Japan’s modernization. Currently, it operates in diverse businesses including energy, plants and infrastructure, logistics, refrigeration and drive systems, aerospace, defense, and space. Its headquarters is located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

MHI’s strengths are its advanced technological capabilities, comprehensive strength, and large-scale project execution capabilities. It provides ships (passenger ships, cargo ships, special purpose ships, etc.), aerospace equipment (aircraft, rockets, etc.), power plants, and industrial machinery. It boasts numerous achievements that remain in Japanese history, such as the construction of the battleship “Musashi” and the development of the aircraft “Zero Fighter.” In recent years, it has also contributed to projects supporting modern social infrastructure, such as the construction of LNG carriers and passenger ships, and the development of the H-II Transfer Vehicle “Kounotori” for the International Space Station.

Looking to the future, MHI is promoting the development of hydrogen-related businesses and CO2 capture and utilization technologies to realize a carbon-neutral society. It is also strengthening its defense and space sectors and accelerating its global expansion. As a leading comprehensive heavy industry manufacturer in Japan, it contributes to social infrastructure and industrial foundations with its advanced technological capabilities and comprehensive strength.

Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is the largest shipbuilding company in Japan. It holds a high share in the construction of merchant ships such as bulk carriers and tankers. Founded in 1901, it is headquartered in Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, and builds and repairs a wide range of vessels from small and medium-sized ships to large ships.

Imabari Shipbuilding’s strengths are its efficient construction system and cost competitiveness. It focuses on the construction of merchant ships such as bulk carriers, tankers, and container ships, and has established an integrated system from design to construction and repair through cooperation with group companies. It has built numerous ships for domestic and international shipping companies, supporting Japan’s shipping industry.

Looking to the future, it is focusing on the development of energy-saving ships and alternative fuel ships to respond to stricter environmental regulations. As the largest shipbuilding company in Japan, it supports Japan’s shipping industry with its efficient construction system.

Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) is a shipbuilding company specializing in the construction of medium and large-sized merchant ships. It was established in 2013 through the merger of IHI Marine United and Universal Shipbuilding Corporation. It builds and repairs medium and large-sized merchant ships. Its headquarters is located in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.

JMU’s strengths are its advanced technological capabilities and construction capabilities. It focuses on the construction of merchant ships such as bulk carriers, tankers, and container ships, and supports Japan’s shipping industry by building numerous ships for domestic and international shipping companies.

Looking to the future, it is focusing on the development of energy-saving ships and alternative fuel ships to respond to stricter environmental regulations. As a shipbuilding company with a proven track record in building medium and large-sized merchant ships, it supports Japan’s shipping industry.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. is a heavy industry manufacturer that develops a wide range of businesses such as ships, railway vehicles, aerospace, motorcycles, and industrial plants. Founded in 1878, it began with shipbuilding and subsequently expanded its business to transportation equipment for land, sea, and air, energy-related equipment, and industrial plants. Its headquarters is located in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ strengths are its advanced technological capabilities and diverse business development. It provides ships (LNG carriers, submarines, etc.), railway vehicles (Shinkansen, subway cars, etc.), aerospace equipment, motorcycles, and industrial plants, contributing to the development of social infrastructure. In recent years, it has also focused on hydrogen energy-related businesses.

Looking to the future, it is focusing on fields such as hydrogen energy and robots. It is promoting the development of technologies that contribute to reducing environmental impact. As a heavy industry manufacturer contributing to land, sea, and air transportation infrastructure and the energy sector, it supports society with a wide range of business development.

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is a shipbuilding company that mainly builds bulk carriers. It is actively promoting overseas expansion. Founded in 1917, it is headquartered in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and builds and repairs small and medium-sized merchant ships, mainly bulk carriers.

Tsuneishi Shipbuilding’s strengths are its efficient construction system for bulk carrier construction and its overseas expansion. With shipyards in China and the Philippines, it supports global shipping by building numerous bulk carriers for domestic and international shipping companies.

Looking to the future, it is focusing on the development of energy-saving ships and alternative fuel ships to respond to stricter environmental regulations. As a shipbuilding company with a proven track record in bulk carrier construction, it is developing its business globally.

Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is a shipbuilding company that mainly builds bulk carriers. It has a high share in small and medium-sized bulk carriers. Founded in 1973, it is headquartered in Saikai City, Nagasaki Prefecture, and builds and repairs small and medium-sized merchant ships, mainly bulk carriers.

Oshima Shipbuilding’s strengths are its efficient construction system for small and medium-sized bulk carrier construction and its ability to meet short delivery times. It builds numerous bulk carriers for domestic and international shipping companies.

Looking to the future, it is focusing on the development of energy-saving ships and alternative fuel ships to respond to stricter environmental regulations. As a shipbuilding company with a proven track record in small and medium-sized bulk carrier construction, it supports the shipping industry with its efficient construction system.

Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is a shipbuilding company that builds merchant ships and naval vessels. It is a shipbuilding company under Mitsui E&S Holdings and builds and repairs merchant ships and naval vessels.

Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding’s strengths are its advanced technological capabilities to build both merchant ships (LNG carriers, passenger ships, etc.) and naval vessels (destroyers, submarines, etc.), and its ability to handle various types of ships. It contributes to Japan’s defense by building destroyers and submarines.

Looking to the future, it aims to respond to defense demand and enter the marine energy-related business. As a shipbuilding company with a proven track record in building merchant ships and naval vessels, it contributes to Japan’s defense and marine development.

Namura Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. is a shipbuilding company that builds bulk carriers, tankers, etc. Founded in 1911, it is headquartered in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, and builds and repairs bulk carriers, tankers, etc. In recent years, it has also focused on the development of technologies to reduce environmental impact.

Namura Shipbuilding’s strengths are its building of bulk carriers and tankers, especially its strengths in building small and medium-sized ships. It also operates a repair business and has built numerous ships for domestic and international shipping companies, especially with many achievements in the bulk carrier field.

Looking to the future, it is focusing on the development of energy-saving ships and alternative fuel ships to respond to stricter environmental regulations. It is also considering business diversification. As a shipbuilding company with a proven track record in building bulk carriers and tankers, it demonstrates its strengths in the small and medium-sized ship field and supports the shipping industry.

Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co., Ltd. builds a wide variety of ships, mainly small and medium-sized bulk carriers, as well as car carriers and chemical tankers. Founded in 1919 as Hatohama Dock Co., Ltd., it underwent several changes before becoming the current Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co., Ltd. in 1974. Headquartered in Onishi-cho, Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture, as a shipbuilding specialist manufacturer with a history of over 100 years, it operates with its group companies, with a base in Akitsu-cho, Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, building and repairing diverse and high-quality ships.

Shin Kurushima Dockyard’s strengths are its flexible response to meet diverse customer needs and its track record in building car carriers and chemical tankers, boasting one of the world’s top construction volumes. In addition to bulk carriers, it contributes to global logistics by building optimal ships for transporting special cargo such as car carriers, chemical tankers, dedicated railway rail carriers, and steel semi-finished product (billet) carriers. As the saying goes, “100 ways of carrying for 100 types of cargo,” it is strong in customization according to customer requests. Efficient construction systems and short delivery times are also strengths.

Looking to the future, it is focusing on the development and construction of environmentally friendly ships such as LNG-fueled car carriers to respond to stricter environmental regulations. It also aims to further expand its business by utilizing the technology and experience it has cultivated. It is a company that supports global logistics by building ships that meet diverse needs.

Uchiumi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. builds ferries and passenger ships. Founded in 1916, it is headquartered in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and builds and repairs ferries, passenger ships, and RORO ships.

Uchiumi Shipbuilding’s strength is the technology and know-how it has cultivated in building passenger ships. It has built numerous ships that operate on domestic ferry and passenger routes, supporting domestic passenger transportation.

Looking to the future, it is promoting technological development to address the increasing sophistication of passenger ships, such as higher speeds and improved comfort. As a shipbuilding company with a proven track record in building ferries and passenger ships, it supports domestic passenger transportation.

IHI Corporation is a heavy industry manufacturer that develops a wide range of businesses such as aerospace, energy, social infrastructure, and industrial machinery. Although its shipbuilding business is declining, it contributes to marine-related businesses. Founded in 1853, it began with shipbuilding and greatly contributed to Japan’s modernization. Currently, it operates in diverse businesses including aerospace, energy, social infrastructure, and industrial machinery. Its headquarters is located in Koto-ku, Tokyo.

IHI’s strengths are its advanced technological capabilities and comprehensive strength, and its marine-related businesses that utilize the technology it cultivated in shipbuilding. It provides aerospace equipment, power plants, bridges, and industrial machinery, and once built battleships such as the “Yamato.” Currently, it contributes to marine development with marine structures and marine resource development equipment.

Looking to the future, it is strengthening businesses such as renewable energy and hydrogen energy in the energy sector. In the marine-related business, it is focusing on fields such as marine resource development and marine energy utilization. As a heavy industry manufacturer contributing to social infrastructure and industrial foundations in a wide range of fields, it creates new value in marine-related businesses by utilizing its former shipbuilding technology.

Hitachi Zosen Corporation develops environmental and plant businesses and machinery businesses. Shipbuilding was once its main business, but it has now significantly shifted its business portfolio. Founded in 1881, it began with shipbuilding and contributed to Japan’s modernization. Currently, it develops environmental and plant businesses (waste treatment plants, water treatment plants, etc.) and machinery businesses (industrial machinery, marine equipment, etc.). Its headquarters is located in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture.

Hitachi Zosen’s strengths are its specialization in environmental and plant businesses and machinery businesses, and its contribution to the environmental field by utilizing the technology it cultivated in shipbuilding. It provides waste treatment plants, water treatment plants, industrial machinery, and marine equipment, contributing to environmental conservation by providing them both domestically and internationally.

Looking to the future, it is strengthening businesses that contribute to solving environmental problems. It is also considering entering the renewable energy-related business. As a company contributing to society through environmental and plant businesses and machinery businesses, it creates new value in the environmental field by utilizing its former shipbuilding technology.

Kubota Corporation provides agricultural machinery, construction machinery, and water environment-related products. Although it does not conduct shipbuilding, it provides marine engines. Founded in 1890, it began with casting and subsequently expanded its business to agricultural machinery, construction machinery, and water environment-related products. Its headquarters is located in Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture.

Kubota’s strengths are its high share in agricultural machinery both domestically and internationally, and its diesel engine technology. It provides agricultural machinery such as tractors and combines, construction machinery such as hydraulic excavators, water treatment plants, and marine engines. Its marine engines are installed in fishing boats and work boats.

Looking to the future, it is strengthening businesses such as smart agriculture and water environment solutions to contribute to solving social issues related to food, water, and the environment. As a company contributing to solving social issues in the food, water, and environment fields, it indirectly supports the shipping industry with marine engines.

Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. provides industrial machinery, construction machinery, and precision machinery. Although it does not conduct shipbuilding, it provides marine equipment. Founded in 1888, it began with machinery manufacturing and subsequently expanded its business to industrial machinery, construction machinery, and precision machinery. Its headquarters is located in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo.

Sumitomo Heavy Industries’ strengths are its technological capabilities to provide machinery to a wide range of industrial fields. It provides industrial machinery such as speed reducers and injection molding machines, construction machinery, precision machinery, and marine equipment. Its marine equipment contributes to ship propulsion and steering.

Looking to the future, it is promoting technological innovation in each business field. It is also actively promoting global expansion. As a company providing machinery to a wide range of industrial fields, it indirectly supports the shipping industry with marine equipment.

JFE Engineering Corporation develops steel engineering, environmental and energy engineering, etc. Although it does not conduct shipbuilding, it is involved in the manufacture of marine structures. As an engineering company under JFE Steel, it develops steel engineering, environmental and energy engineering, and urban infrastructure development. Its headquarters is located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo.

JFE Engineering’s strengths are its engineering technology in steel mill construction, environmental plant construction, and bridge construction, and its track record in manufacturing marine structures. It is involved in various plant and infrastructure construction projects both domestically and internationally, and manufactures marine platforms, etc., in marine structure manufacturing.

Looking to the future, it is strengthening engineering businesses that contribute to solving environmental problems. It is also considering entering the renewable energy-related business. As a company contributing to social infrastructure development through engineering businesses, it indirectly supports marine development through marine structure manufacturing.

Mitsui Ocean Development & Engineering Company, Inc. (MODEC) designs, builds, leases, and operates Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) systems. It greatly contributes to marine energy development. Founded in 1968, it designs, builds, leases, and operates FPSO systems. Its headquarters is located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo. It is a subsidiary of Mitsui E&S Holdings.

MODEC’s strengths are its world-class track record and technological capabilities in the FPSO field, and its provision of long-term lease and operation services. It participates in FPSO projects in marine oil and gas fields around the world, with numerous achievements in Brazil, Africa, and Southeast Asia. It greatly contributes to marine energy development.

Looking to the future, it is promoting the enlargement and higher functionality of FPSOs to respond to the expanding demand for marine energy development. It is also considering entering the renewable energy field (offshore wind power generation, etc.). As a company leading the world in the FPSO field, it greatly contributes to marine energy development.

The Engineering Advancement Association of Japan (ENAA) is a general incorporated association aimed at the development of the engineering industry. Founded in 1974, it conducts research, information provision, and human resource development for the engineering industry. It is located in Minato-ku, Tokyo.

ENAA’s strengths are its wide range of activities related to the engineering industry. It contributes to the improvement of engineering technology and the development of the industry by issuing various research reports on the engineering industry, holding technical seminars, and providing training programs for engineers.

Looking to the future, it is promoting activities to contribute to solving the problems of the engineering industry and strengthening international competitiveness. As an organization supporting the development of the engineering industry, it contributes to technological improvement and human resource development.

Japan Shipyard Co., Ltd. is a joint venture established in 2021 by Japan Marine United and Imabari Shipbuilding. It aims to conduct sales and design of large merchant ships.

Japan Shipyard’s strength is the combination of the technologies, know-how, and customer bases of major shipbuilding companies with different strengths: Japan Marine United and Imabari Shipbuilding. This aims to exert higher competitiveness in the large merchant ship market, such as LNG carriers and container ships. Specifically, it is building an efficient design and construction system that integrates the technological capabilities of both companies and conducting joint sales activities to domestic and international shipping companies.

Looking to the future, it is expected to accurately respond to the needs of the global shipping industry, aiming to expand its share and improve profitability in the large merchant ship market. As a company established through strategic collaboration between major shipbuilding companies, its future success in the large merchant ship market is expected.

Japan’s shipbuilding and heavy industries have played an indispensable role in Japan’s modernization and economic growth. The companies and organizations introduced here possess outstanding technological capabilities and achievements in their respective fields, supporting Japan’s industrial foundation.

In recent years, the shipbuilding industry has faced many challenges, such as intensifying competition with China and South Korea, stricter environmental regulations, and fluctuating demand. The heavy industry as a whole also faces important issues such as decarbonization, digitalization, and responding to global competition.

The following initiatives are important for the continued development of Japan’s shipbuilding and heavy industries:

• Promoting Technological Innovation: Actively introducing advanced technologies such as environmental impact reduction technologies (alternative fuel ships, energy-saving technologies), automation technologies, and digital technologies to strengthen international competitiveness by improving product functionality and adding value. In particular, the fusion of technologies from different fields (e.g., agricultural machinery and AI, construction machinery and ICT) is important.
• Reviewing Business Portfolios: To respond to environmental changes, consider not only strengthening existing businesses but also entering new businesses (marine energy, renewable energy, etc.).
• Strengthening Partnerships and Collaboration: Strengthen partnerships with domestic and international companies and research institutions to jointly develop technologies and explore markets.
• Strengthening Human Resource Development: Develop human resources with advanced expertise and a global perspective. In particular, the development of digital human resources and environmental technology human resources is important.
• Strengthening Supply Chain Resilience: Diversify supply chains to prepare for geopolitical risks and natural disasters.

Through these initiatives, Japan’s shipbuilding and heavy industries are expected to overcome the rapidly changing times and achieve sustainable growth.