The role of shipping in Japan’s economic resilience

Japan’s economy runs almost entirely on imports - from energy to raw materials - and shipping is the foundational lifeline that makes it all possible.

When global trade faces turbulence, the ripple effects can reach every corner of the economy, including the housing market; both directly in the form of material imports and indirectly in the form of energy prices, manufacturing inputs and exporting factory outputs back into global supply chains.

All of which affect jobs, wages and housing affordability.

The below Bloomberg “Chief Future Officer” mini documentary uploaded on September 18^th dives into how NYK, Japan’s largest shipping company, is navigating trade tensions, energy transitions, and decarbonization goals; essentially making plans for decades in the future despite current global trade headwinds.  

Key Topics Covered

• Global Trade Under Pressure - How escalating tariffs and geopolitical tensions are reshaping the shipping industry.

  
  

• Inside NYK’s Strategy - Why Japan’s largest shipping company remains resilient amid uncertainty.

  
  

• Leadership in Action - Insights from NYK’s CEO and CFO on steering through volatility and planning decades ahead.

  
  

• The LNG Advantage - Why liquefied natural gas is central to NYK’s growth and energy transition strategy.

  
  

• Decarbonization & Innovation - A look at NYK’s “Sail Green” initiative and the world’s first ammonia-powered tugboat.

  
  

• Financial Strength & Shareholder Value - How NYK balances investment in sustainability with boosting returns.

  
  

• Future of Shipping - What zero-emission vessels and alternative fuels mean for the next decade of global trade.

  
  

• Japan’s Shipbuilding Comeback - How U.S. trade policies could shift opportunities for Japanese manufacturers.