[International] Japan's Digital Corridor Initiative Strengthens Indo-Pacific Security Cooperation; 8 Projects Include Testing Technology to Enhance Taiwan-Japan Submarine Cable Performance
bella@@ 央廣 新聞11h ago
Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will launch 8 communication infrastructure development projects centered on the Indo-Pacific region, aiming to strengthen economic security cooperation in areas such as submarine cables and satellite communications. This includes testing technology in Taiwan to enhance the performance of Taiwan-Japan submarine cables.
According to Nikkei Asia, these projects are considered an important part of the "Digital Corridor Concept" promoted by the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications plans to publicly solicit participation from private entities for these 8 projects starting this month.
In May, Kishida, in a speech in Vietnam, proposed a vision for an expanded "Free and Open Indo-Pacific." In the communications sector, she proposed promoting the "Digital Corridor Concept" to assist in developing digital infrastructure. With the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), market demand for digital infrastructure is increasing.
These projects are expected to involve Japanese telecommunications companies and other businesses. In fiscal year 2026, they will collaborate with local operators for preliminary testing and feasibility studies.
In India, where data centers are booming, trials will be conducted on Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation's (NTT) next-generation optical communication technology, "Innovative Optical Wireless Network" (IOWN). This technology uses optical signals to transmit all signals between data centers and terminal devices.
These trials will include connectivity tests with local telecommunications operators and verification of compliance with relevant regulations. The goal is to identify potential challenges and solutions within the current fiscal year, and then move towards practical application starting in fiscal year 2027.
In Taiwan, these projects will test technologies to enhance the performance of submarine cables connecting Taiwan and Japan. In recent years, submarine cables around Taiwan have been repeatedly damaged or cut, leading many to suspect Chinese involvement. These tests will examine the performance required to ensure secure connections and compliance with local standards.
In Singapore and India, the initiative aims to introduce technologies to improve financial transaction processes, such as payment services. In Chile, which has the world's largest copper reserves, there are plans to test remote operations using IOWN technology.
The project funding will come from the supplementary budget for 2025 and the general budget for 2026, totaling approximately 8 billion yen (about NT$1.6 billion). (Editor: Shen Zhen-jiang)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=217218
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