The Sankei Shimbun 
Raigei in service. Photo taken off the coast of Kobe City on March 6. (©Sankei by Kotaro Hikono)
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A ceremony was held on March 6 to mark the handover of the submarine Raigei to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). It took place at the Kobe shipyard of Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
Raigei will be deployed to the JMSDF Kure Base in Hiroshima Prefecture for surveillance and patrol missions.
Specifications and Features
According to the JMSDF, Raigei is the fourth vessel of the Taigei-class submarines, which entered service in 2022. It has a standard displacement of about 3,000 tons, a length of 84 meters, and a width of 9.1 meters. Construction costs totaled approximately ¥70.2 billion JPY (about $478 million USD).
The submarine accommodates about 70 crew members, including bunks for female personnel. It is equipped with a new diesel engine and lithium-ion batteries, allowing for extended underwater operations.
Flag Presentation
Around 300 representatives from Kawasaki Heavy Industries and the Ministry of Defense attended the ceremony. A flag presentation was also held, officially marking Raigei's inclusion in the Self-Defense Forces. The JMSDF ensign was hoisted at the stern.
In his address, Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Yozo Kaneko highlighted China's growing maritime activity, stating that Japan faces its greatest postwar challenge. He expressed hope that Raigei would "demonstrate its capabilities as a cutting-edge submarine with enhanced detection and stealth technology."
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Author: The Sankei Shimbun
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