Japan Underwater Robotics Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV)), By Application (Defense and Security, Commercial Exploration, Scientific Research, and Others), and Japan Underwater Robotics Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

Japan Underwater Robotics Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Japan Underwater Robotics Market Size Was Estimated at USD 154.27 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 18.3% from 2025 to 2035
• The Japan Underwater Robotics Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 979.43 Million by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, the Japan Underwater Robotics Market Size is Anticipated to Reach USD 979.43 Million by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 18.3% from 2025 to 2035. The Japan underwater robotics market is expanding with increasing demand for automation in extreme environments, advancing technology, and government support for marine conservation, oceanic exploration, and defense upgrades, driving adoption in various maritime sectors at a rapid pace.

Market Overview

The Japan underwater robotics market refers to the application of advanced unmanned submersibles and remotely operated vehicles ROVs and AUVs in deepwater exploration, offshore oil and gas, renewable energy infrastructure inspection, maritime defense, and environmental monitoring. Japans leadership in robotics, precision engineering, and marine sciences is evident through JAMSTECs 11,000 meter rated ABISMO ROV for naval exploration. Market opportunities exist in ocean-bottom mining, coastal ecosystem research, aquaculture monitoring, and sub-sea pipeline inspection segments. Investments in deep sea exploration, offshore wind farm development, and national security requirements for mine countermeasures and naval surveillance drive the growth. Government efforts involve a USD 50 million fund in 2024, established by the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, and a USD 500 million NEDO program to build next generation underwater robots, supporting CCUS and smart ocean infrastructure.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the Japan underwater robotics market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the Japan underwater robotics market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, and development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the Japan underwater robotics market.

Driving Factors

The Japan underwater robot market is fueled by rising demand for deep-sea exploration, offshore renewable energy development, and maritime security. Growing offshore wind farms and undersea infrastructure development drive the demand for sophisticated robotic systems. Japan's robotics and precision technology leadership, along with growing interest in ocean-bottom natural resource extraction and ecological monitoring, supports the market further. Government programs and R&D expenditures, particularly in autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), also drive adoption in defense, energy, and marine research markets.

Restraining Factors

The Japan underwater robotics market is hampered by high development and operational expenditures, limited reliability in harsh marine conditions, and technical constraints in communication, navigation, and longevity. Regulatory complexity and skill shortages also limit wider adoption across industries.

Market Segmentation

The Japan underwater robotics market share is classified into type and application.

• The remotely operated vehicle (ROV) segment held the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The Japan underwater robotics market is segmented by type into remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV). Among these, the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) segment held the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the accurate, versatile instruments applied in offshore oil and gas, ship salvage, underwater construction, and deep-sea research. They are mounted with cameras, manipulator arms, and sensors and carry out intricate operations within hostile underwater conditions, assisting inspection, maintenance, data acquisition, and search and rescue missions on subsea infrastructure.

• The commercial exploration segment held the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The Japan underwater robotics market is segmented by application into defense and security, commercial exploration, scientific research, and others. Among these, the commercial exploration segment held the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is attributed to these sectors are assisted by underwater robots such as ROVs and AUVs to inspect infrastructure, survey geology, and explore resources. The demand increases due to the requirement for inexpensive, efficient operations in extreme underwater conditions to recover valuable sea resources.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the Japan underwater robotics market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Kongsberg Maritime
• Bluefin Robotics
• Greensea IQ
• Teledyne Gavia
• JAMSTEC
• Boeing
• Teledyne Seabotix
• RJE Oceanbotics
• Saab AB
• Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding
• Nippon Kaiyo Co., Ltd.
• Oceaneering International, Inc.
• Others

Recent Developments:

• In June 2024, Greensea IQ appointed Nippon Kaiyo Co., Ltd. as its international representative in Japan to expand the reach of its Bayonet autonomous underwater ground vehicles (AUGVs). Leveraging Nippon Kaiyo’s marine industry expertise, the partnership improves Greensea IQ’s presence in Japan, offering advanced underwater technology for surf-zone and deep-sea operations.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at Japan, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the Japan underwater robotics market based on the below-mentioned segments:

Japan Underwater Robotics Market, By Type

• Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)
• Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV)

Japan Underwater Robotics Market, By Application

• Defense and Security
• Commercial Exploration
• Scientific Research
• Others