DeepWind News Digest delivers key updates on Japan’s offshore wind sector in English every week.
This article provides a full digest of the major developments in October 2025.
October 1st Week
1. Akita Offshore Wind: First domestically built CTV to enter general sea area – NYK signs long-term contract
NYK has signed a long-term charter agreement with the Oga–Katagami–Akita offshore wind consortium for a Japan-built crew transfer vessel (CTV), the first to serve a general sea area project in Japan.
The vessel, built in Iwate based on Northern Offshore Services’ design, will be managed by Japan Offshore Support in Akita City, contributing to local employment and revitalization of Japan’s shipbuilding industry.
2. Toda Corporation and partners to base SEP vessel in Hakodate – Operations start in 2026
Japan Wind Farm Construction (JWFC), backed by Toda, Kumagai Gumi, Nishimatsu, and others, has designated Hakodate Port as the home port for its self-elevating platform (SEP) vessel. The ship will arrive in May 2026 and handle turbines up to 18 MW.
The agreement emphasizes local procurement and port coordination, leveraging Hakodate’s deep waters and strategic location as a hub for Tohoku and Hokkaido offshore wind projects.
3. Mitsui & Co. to begin onshore works for Murakami–Tainai offshore wind – from October
The Murakami–Tainai project (684 MW), led by Mitsui, Osaka Gas, and RWE, will begin onshore transmission works on October 1.
Although contractor selection delayed the start from April, the June 2029 commercial operation schedule remains unchanged. Preparations such as transmission line surveys are underway, with expectations for regional economic and employment benefits.
October 2nd Week
1. New Offshore Wind Promising & Preparation Zones Announced
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) have updated the offshore wind pipeline under the Act on Promoting the Utilization of Sea Areas for Renewable Energy.
Two new Promising Areas—Akita City Offshore (Akita Prefecture) and Hibikinada Offshore (Fukuoka Prefecture)—were newly designated, alongside three new Preparation Areas: Asahi (Chiba Prefecture), Goto South (Nagasaki Prefecture, Floating), and Ichikikushikino (Kagoshima Prefecture).
2. Japan’s First Female Prime Minister Expected — Sanae Takaichi Elected as New LDP Leader
Sanae Takaichi has won the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership election, making her almost certain to become Japan’s first female Prime Minister.
Formal appointment will follow parliamentary nomination, but her position as ruling-party leader effectively secures the premiership.
Takaichi has criticized Japan’s heavy reliance on large-scale solar PV (“Mega Solar”), citing deforestation, environmental harm, and disaster risks.
Her stance points toward a policy shift from land-based renewables to ocean-based resources, with offshore wind—particularly floating wind—likely to gain new momentum.
3. After Mitsubishi’s Withdrawal — Choshi Offshore Wind Holds First Regional Dialogue
Following Mitsubishi Corporation’s withdrawal from the Choshi Offshore Wind Project (Chiba Prefecture), the “Choshi Regional Future Creation Council” held its first meeting on October 6.
Participants included representatives from Chiba Prefecture, Choshi City, METI, MLIT, and Mitsubishi.
The meeting—held mostly behind closed doors—focused on how to continue community development and fishery coexistence initiatives previously led by Mitsubishi.
Two more sessions will be held this year, with results to be reported to the official council.
October 3rd Week
1. World Offshore Wind Summit Opens in Akita
Over 800 participants from around the world gathered in Akita City as the 5th World Offshore Wind Summit kicked off on October 15.
Speakers from JWPA and prefectural leaders reaffirmed Akita’s key role in Japan’s offshore wind development, highlighting both fixed-bottom and floating initiatives in the region.
“Akita remains a national leader in offshore wind,” said Governor Kentaro Suzuki, pledging continued progress toward a renewable future.
Despite project delays and Mitsubishi’s withdrawal, Akita still hosts four promotion zones and one promising area, including floating wind demonstration sites off Yurihonjo and Nikaho.
Source: ABS News NNN (Japanese)
2. Dutch Mooring Cable Maker Eyes Akita as Production Hub
Netherlands-based FibreMax signed an agreement with Akita Prefecture and Akita City to prioritize discussions on establishing a local manufacturing base for floating wind mooring cables.
The company’s lightweight, high-durability synthetic fiber cables can withstand depths beyond 1,000 m and are already widely used in Europe. Plans will be finalized by around 2028, with Akita Port under consideration as the preferred site.
Governor Suzuki described the project as “a dream opportunity for Akita to become a regional hub for floating offshore wind in Asia.”
Source: Yahoo Japan news (Japanese)
3. DENZAI E&C to Open Akita Branch for Wind Turbine Assembly
DENZAI E&C, a Tokyo-based heavy-lifting and maintenance firm, has signed a location agreement with Akita Prefecture and Akita City.
The company will establish its Akita branch in April 2026, operating from a 35,000 m² site at Akita Port equipped with a 2,500-ton crawler crane for turbine assembly.
Initial operations will support the Oga–Katagami–Akita Offshore Wind project, with plans to expand services across the Sea of Japan coast.
“Projects are delayed, not canceled,” said President Hiroki Uemura, expecting work to intensify around 2028–2029.
Source: Nikkei (Japanese)
October 4th Week
1. Hokkaido Electric Power to establish offshore wind training centers in southern Hokkaido
Hokkaido Electric Power plans to set up onshore and offshore training centers in Esashi and Hakodate by FY2026, aiming to start operations in FY2027 with GWO certification.
The initiative supports local workforce development for upcoming projects in the Hiyama and Matsumae Promotion Zones.
Source: Nikkei (Japanese)
2. Japan’s first floating lidar system enables dual wind and fishery observation
Tokyo-based PASCO Corporation has deployed Japan’s first floating lidar system capable of simultaneously measuring offshore wind conditions and fish schools.
The survey began off Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture in September 2025, aiming to support floating wind feasibility studies and fishery coexistence efforts.
By integrating multiple sensors into one platform, the system improves survey efficiency and cost reduction for offshore wind developers.
Source: Press release by PASCO (Japanese)
3. Furukawa Electric to build new subsea cable plant in Chiba by 2030
Furukawa Electric will invest about ¥100 billion to construct a new HVDC subsea cable factory in Futtsu, Chiba Prefecture, scheduled for operation in 2030.
The project—partly subsidized by Japan’s GX supply-chain program—will produce 500 kV-class HVDC cables for transmitting renewable power from Hokkaido and Kyushu to Tokyo, and to meet global demand from Asia and the Middle East.
Source: Nikkei (Japanese)
October 5th Week
1. Floating Offshore Wind: Japan’s FLOWRA Launches ¥6 Billion R&D Drive
The Floating Offshore Wind Research Association (FLOWRA), led by Masakatsu Terasaki, announced a ¥6 billion R&D program to develop mass-production technologies for floating foundations and establish international standards. Formed in 2024 by major players including Mitsubishi Corp., Kansai Electric, Tokyo Gas, and TEPCO Renewable Power, FLOWRA now brings together 21 companies.
The group aims for commercialization by FY2030, with collaboration already underway with 76 manufacturing and construction firms. Despite the recent headwinds in offshore wind—such as the Mitsubishi-led consortium’s withdrawal from three sites—FLOWRA intends to accelerate progress and position Japan as a global leader in floating wind technology.
Source: Nikkei (Japanese)
2. Nippon Steel Engineering and Achiha Partner to Strengthen Offshore Wind O&M in Japan
Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd. (NSE) has announced a new partnership with Achiha Co., Ltd. to enhance operation and maintenance (O&M) services for offshore wind farms in Japan.
NSE has already established collaborations with global service provider Deutsche Windtechnik and marine contractor Fukada Salvage & Marine Works. Through this new alliance, the company will leverage Achiha’s extensive experience—over 500 wind turbines maintained and 100 skilled technicians—to deliver comprehensive O&M services from regular maintenance to major repairs.
Since 2010, NSE has been active in offshore foundation EPCI projects, including Ishikari Bay New Port (112 MW) and Kitakyushu Hibikinada (220 MW). The company aims to further expand its nationwide O&M capabilities and contribute to the long-term reliability of Japan’s offshore wind assets.
Source: Press release by Nippon Steel Engineering Co., Ltd. (Japanese)
3. Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Launches Underwater Drone Inspection Service for Offshore Wind
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd. and MS&AD InterRisk Research & Consulting Co., Ltd., in collaboration with underwater robotics firm FullDepth, have launched a new inspection service using underwater drones for offshore wind facilities.
The service utilizes cameras and imaging sonar mounted on underwater drones to visualize and assess the condition of subsea assets such as turbine foundations and submarine cables. Compared with traditional diver-based inspections, this method offers higher safety, greater efficiency, and lower costs.
The initiative, developed through joint research since 2022, aims to prevent cable damage and detect anomalies early—supporting stable offshore wind operations and risk reduction as Japan expands projects into deeper and more remote waters.
Source: News release by Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd. (Japanese)
Monthly Wrap-up
October 2025 marked a turning point for Japan’s offshore wind industry, with Akita once again at the center of attention.
The World Offshore Wind Summit Japan 2025 highlighted themes such as floating technology, supply chain development, and workforce training—signaling that Japan’s offshore wind sector is entering a new phase of maturity.
From an industrial perspective, several key developments stood out: Furukawa Electric’s new subsea cable plant, DENZAI E&C’s assembly base in Akita, and FibreMax’s plan to establish a production hub all underscored Japan’s growing capacity to localize manufacturing and installation activities. Together, these moves suggest the gradual emergence of a regional industrial cluster across Tohoku and Hokkaido.
At the same time, the restructuring of the Choshi offshore wind project illustrated the challenges of developer transitions and project continuity. Yet, Japan’s domestic ecosystem is strengthening—exemplified by FLOWRA’s ¥6 billion national R&D program for floating wind and expanded O&M collaborations among local engineering firms.
Overall, October 2025 symbolized a shift from foreign-led to Japan-led development.
As projects move toward the implementation stage, the coming year is poised to become a decisive period for establishing Japan’s long-term leadership in offshore wind.
📘 Explore the full-year summary
Catch up on all key offshore wind developments throughout 2025 —
including project updates, policy trends, and floating wind milestones.
👉 Read the Japan Offshore Wind News Digest 2025 (Year in Review)
➡ Japan Offshore Wind News Digest – 2025
Weekly digest with actionable insights for investors, developers, and stakeholders in Japan’s offshore wind. 🎁 Welcome gift: Japan Offshore Wind: 2025 Market Outlook (PDF)📩 DeepWind Weekly
- 🔍Market Insights – Understand the latest trends and key topics in Japan’s offshore wind market
- 🏛️Policy & Regulations – Explore Japan’s legal frameworks, auction systems, and designated promotion zones.
- 🌊Projects – Get an overview of offshore wind projects across Japan’s coastal regions.
- 🛠️Technology & Innovation – Discover the latest technologies and innovations shaping Japan’s offshore wind sector.
- 💡Cost Analysis – Dive into Japan-specific LCOE insights and offshore wind cost structures.
