# Japan to tap foreign ships for emergency fleet

> Japan lets foreign-owned ships join emergency fleet by 2027.
- Title: Japan to tap foreign ships for emergency fleet · Nikkei Asia
- Summary: Japan lets foreign-owned ships join emergency fleet by 2027. Japan will include foreign-flagged vessels owned by overseas subsidiaries in its emergency fleet…
- Keywords: japan, emergency fleet, foreign-flagged ships, fiscal 2027, overseas subsidiaries, merchant vessels, news, business, world, tap, foreign, ships
- Source: Nikkei Asia — https://asia.nikkei.com/business/transportation/japan-to-enable-foreign-flagged-ships-to-be-tapped-for-emergency-fleet
- Published: 2026-10-15T14:19:05+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: japan, emergency fleet, foreign-flagged ships, fiscal 2027, overseas subsidiaries, merchant vessels, news, business, world
## Japan's emergency fleet expansion
Japan plans to let foreign-flagged ships owned by overseas subsidiaries count as Japanese-flagged vessels starting fiscal 2027.
## Current fleet registration status
Only 15% of Japan's merchant vessels were registered in the country as of June 2025.
## Emergency fleet purpose
The move aims to broaden the range of craft Japan can mobilize during emergencies.
## Key takeaway

Japan will include foreign-flagged vessels owned by overseas subsidiaries in its emergency fleet starting fiscal 2027.