The Yaima Maru ferry began service on May 28, 2026, connecting northern Taiwan's Keelung port with Ishigaki island in Japan's Okinawa prefecture [1]. The route offers once-weekly overnight trips aimed at boosting tourism and economic exchange between the two regions [1].
Ishigaki Mayor Yoshitaka Nakayama called the route "not merely transportation infrastructure" but "a new bridge that supports tourism, logistics, economic activity, cultural exchange, and education" [1]. The ferry service reflects growing travel and trade ties between Taiwan and Japan despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations. Japan ruled Taiwan as a colony from 1895 to 1945, creating decades-old economic connections that remain strong [1].
The Yaima Maru is also listed by the Japanese government as a vessel that could evacuate residents from southern Japanese islands in wartime, adding a strategic dimension to the otherwise commercial route [1].
Despite rising regional tensions related to China’s military pressure on Taiwan, the ferry operator, Shosen Yaima, avoided geopolitical commentary. President Tatsuya Ohama said, "This is fundamentally a matter between countries. As a private ferry operator, our first step is to get the service up and running" [1].
The company hopes the route will further stimulate tourism already robust between Taiwan and Japan [2, 1]. The inaugural voyage marks a concrete step toward expanding maritime connections in the East China Sea region.
Trips are scheduled once a week, providing an overnight service that links the two ports directly [1]. The Yaima Maru ferry service is expected to continue regular operations through 2026 and beyond.
