Mitsubishi's technical cooperation with overseas company symbolizes its strategic transition, considering traditional deep concerns over technology leakage in Japanese shipbuilding industry.
In July 2010, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries closed down its Kobe Shipyards, withdrawed from general commercial ship sector and is to concentrate on special ship sector, such as large-sized cruiseship, etc.
Also, the Japanese yard is proceeding to reduce its human resource unaffectedly about 1400 staffs by 2015.
Meanwhile, JFE and IHI's consolidation in shipbuilding sector is to expand their size to be able to compete against rivals in Korea and China.
Considering Japanese yards' recent moves, they strategize in two ways - reach economy of scale or target a niche market.
Market player in Japan forecast, "Strategic settlement of each company would be showed in 2013, when the yards run out of profitable newbuildings ordered before global financial crisis."
Shipbuilding industry in UK is now left with naval vessels, at the moment. Making up survival plans would control if Japanese shipbuilding industry would go the same road as UK, or not.