Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has launched the Japan Coast Guard’s new large patrol vessel, JS Yashima (PLH-46), at its Shimonoseki Shipyard Enoura Plant in Yamaguchi Prefecture. The 134-meter patrol ship is being built under Japan’s fiscal 2023 supplementary budget, with the program valued at approximately 19.6 billion yen (US$124.5 million). According to local reports, the vessel represents the second-generation Mizuho-class patrol ship and will replace the original JS Yashima (PLH-22), commissioned in 1988, which is being retired early due to significant hull deterioration. The new platform retains the historic name “Yashima,” derived from the ancient poetic title “Yashima no Kuni,” a traditional reference to Japan. Designed to exceed 25 knots (46 km/h), the patrol vessel features a flight deck and enclosed hangar capable of accommodating two medium helicopters, including platforms such as the Bell 412 and Sikorsky S-76D. Equipped for maritime law enforcement, search-and-rescue missions, and operations in challenging environments, the ship is armed with 40mm and 20mm guns alongside remote-controlled water cannons. Following the installation of its propulsion systems, mission electronics, and combat equipment, JS Yashima (PLH-46) is scheduled for delivery to the Japan Coast Guard in 2027.
