Okinawa-Miyakojima-Ishigaki

Overview

Okinawa-Miyakojima-Ishigaki is a regional submarine cable system connecting various points within Japan, with a total length of 467 km. The cable was ready for service in 2004 and is operated by NTT.

Route and Landings

Gusukube, Japan

Shiraho, Japan

Yaese, Japan

Ownership and Operators

The cable is operated by NTT.

Status and Timeline

The Okinawa-Miyakojima-Ishigaki submarine cable system was ready for service in 2004. The status of the cable is unknown.

Strategic Context

Okinawa-Miyakojima-Ishigaki connects points within Japan, contributing to the country's extensive submarine cable network that supports telecommunications and internet access across its archipelago. Given Japan’s island geography, it heavily relies on submarine cables for connectivity.

Japan is strategically positioned as a hub in regional and international telecommunications infrastructure. The Okinawa-Miyakojima-Ishigaki cable serves to enhance local network resilience and support the growing demand for data transmission within Japan's southern regions, particularly in areas such as Okinawa Prefecture.

Okinawa Prefecture, where two landing points are located (Gusukube and Yaese), is an important region for both economic and strategic reasons. Gusukabe, a small village on the northern coast of Okinawa Island, serves as one of the key landing sites for submarine cables, while Yaese, another coastal town in central Okinawa, also hosts a landing point.

The cable plays a role in connecting Okinawa Prefecture with other parts of Japan, facilitating data exchange and supporting the region's growing digital economy.