SoftBank Expands Submarine Cable Infrastructure with New Landing Stations in Hokkaido and Fukuoka

Introduction: Strengthening Japan’s Digital Backbone

In an era where global data traffic is skyrocketing—driven by AI expansion, cloud computing, and cross-border tech integration—Japan’s digital infrastructure is being tested like never before. To bolster national connectivity and mitigate risks from natural disasters and regional bottlenecks, SoftBank has announced a strategic move to establish new submarine cable landing stations in Hokkaido and Fukuoka. These new hubs are set to complement the existing site in Chiba, forming a tri-regional cable entry network that will link Asia and North America. The initiative not only boosts Japan’s internet resilience but also paves the way for equitable growth of data centers across the country. Let’s explore what this means for Japan’s telecom and tech sectors.

the Original

On July 4, SoftBank announced its plans to build new international submarine cable landing stations in Hokkaido and Fukuoka. These stations will connect a 12,500-kilometer-long optical submarine cable that spans the Pacific Ocean to Japan’s domestic communication networks. Initially planned to land only in Chiba Prefecture, the expansion is a response to the growing need for disaster resilience and the decentralization of data center infrastructure.

SoftBank’s proposal has been selected for support under a subsidy program by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, which aims to decentralize submarine cable landing points. The new landing stations will be located in Tomakomai (Hokkaido) and Itoshima (Fukuoka), joining the existing station in Minamiboso, Chiba. These locations were chosen due to their proximity to North America and East Asia, as well as the growing concentration of data center and semiconductor industry facilities.

With fewer similar facilities in these regions, the expansion not only improves geographic redundancy but also enhances Japan’s preparedness against large-scale disasters. SoftBank is currently in talks with local governments to finalize specifications and construction schedules.

This move follows SoftBank’s March agreement with U.S., South Korean, and Taiwanese telecom companies to jointly build the “E2A” optical submarine cable. Set to go live in late 2028, this cable will strengthen Pacific digital links, connecting California, Busan (South Korea), and northeastern Taiwan.

Currently, most international submarine cable stations in Japan are concentrated in areas like the Boso and Shima Peninsulas, including SoftBank’s own facilities in Chiba, Kanagawa, and Kitakyushu. This over-concentration increases risks of communication disruption due to cable damage or natural disasters. The government is thus promoting more regional distribution of landing stations to mitigate such vulnerabilities.

What Undercode Say:

SoftBank’s expansion into Hokkaido and Fukuoka marks a transformative step in Japan’s approach to digital infrastructure and international data connectivity. The decision addresses a persistent issue in Japanese telecom strategy: over-concentration of landing stations in disaster-prone areas like the Boso Peninsula. By establishing new cable entry points in geographically diverse regions, SoftBank enhances the nation’s communication resilience, particularly critical in an archipelago frequently struck by earthquakes and typhoons.

Moreover, Hokkaido and Fukuoka are not random picks. Hokkaido offers proximity to North America across the northern Pacific route, while Fukuoka is strategically close to East Asia—especially South Korea and parts of China. Both areas are witnessing growing tech ecosystems, from semiconductors in Kyushu to data center clusters in northern Japan. Bringing submarine cable connectivity directly to these regions can catalyze local digital economies and reduce latency for services like cloud computing and AI training workloads.

The partnership for the E2A cable is particularly noteworthy. With the Japan-U.S.-South Korea-Taiwan alliance, the project embodies a geopolitical digital corridor. In an age where data sovereignty and digital infrastructure security are increasingly politicized, having independent, resilient cable pathways through allied nations is as much a strategic imperative as a technical one.

From a business standpoint, this decentralization also aligns with edge computing trends. By distributing compute and storage closer to end users, businesses can reduce costs, improve response times, and enhance privacy. SoftBank’s diversification move could thus future-proof its telecom infrastructure for Japan’s anticipated digital boom post-2025, particularly as AI and IoT become ubiquitous.

Finally, the project underscores a national shift. Japan, long criticized for centralized infrastructure planning, is now actively incentivizing regional resilience. By integrating telecom, urban planning, and industrial policy, the country is slowly but surely laying down the digital tracks for its next industrial chapter.

🔍 Fact Checker Results:

✅ Verified: SoftBank confirmed its new cable landing sites in Hokkaido and Fukuoka on July 4.
✅ Verified: The E2A cable is a real joint project between telecom firms from Japan, the U.S., South Korea, and Taiwan.
✅ Verified: Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs is offering subsidies to decentralize cable infrastructure.

📊 Prediction:

By 2028, Japan will see a significant shift in its data traffic patterns, with regional data centers in Hokkaido and Kyushu handling up to 30% of international routing. SoftBank’s new landing stations will likely catalyze further infrastructure investments by competitors like NTT and KDDI, creating a new equilibrium in Japan’s digital logistics network. Furthermore, these regional hubs could become gateways for tech partnerships with North American AI firms, accelerating Japan’s edge computing and AI adoption across secondary cities.