Google has announced a $1 billion investment in new subsea cable systems to strengthen internet connectivity between the United States and Japan.
The initiative, named Pacific Connect, involves building two new undersea fiber-optic cables called Proa and Taihei. These systems are designed to increase capacity, resilience, and low-latency connections across the North Pacific.
Google is collaborating with multiple regional partners on the project, including KDDI, ARTERIA, Citadel Pacific, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
Tatsuya Abe, President and CEO of ARTERIA, noted that international connectivity in Japan has long been concentrated around Minami-Boso in Chiba Prefecture. He highlighted that the Ibaraki region, including Takahagi, had not seen new submarine cable landings for over 20 years until the arrival of the Topaz cable, which ARTERIA supported. Leveraging the Topaz landing facilities, Abe said ARTERIA is pleased to deepen its partnership with Google through Pacific Connect to help strengthen Japan’s digital infrastructure.
The Proa cable will link Japan, CNMI, and Guam. For the CNMI, Proa will be the first international subsea cable landing, creating a new route between the continental United States and Shima, Japan.
Arnold I. Palacios, Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, explained that the name “Proa,” inspired by traditional sailing canoes, reflects connectivity, cultural heritage, and a collaborative journey toward growth and opportunity. He thanked Google for including the CNMI in the Pacific Connect Initiative, saying it aligns with local goals for a more connected, resilient, and technology-ready Pacific region.
In addition, the Taiwan-Philippines-US (TPU) cable system will be extended to the CNMI to enhance regional redundancy and reliability.
The Taihei cable—named for the Japanese words meaning “peace” and “Pacific Ocean”—will connect Japan and Hawaii. Google will also extend its existing Tabua cable from the continental US to Hawaii, creating a diverse and resilient data path between the mainland and Takahagi, Japan.
An interlink cable connecting Hawaii, CNMI, and Guam will further strengthen network reliability and reduce latency for Pacific island communities, supporting better access to online services.
Sylvia Luke, Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii, said Hawaii’s Connect Kakou initiative is focused on ensuring reliable, affordable high-speed internet for all residents. She added that the Pacific Connect initiative complements Hawaii’s efforts and will significantly improve connections between Hawaii, the continental US, and Japan while promoting equitable digital access across the Pacific.
Other regional officials praised the project for expanding connectivity and economic opportunities. CNMI Governor Arnold Palacios reiterated that the Proa name symbolizes both cultural identity and enhanced connectivity for the islands.
Google reports that its prior network investments in Japan helped drive more than $400 million in GDP growth over the past decade. The new cables aim to further close the digital divide and enable broader access to digital services across the Pacific region.
This announcement follows recent high-level discussions between US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, which included a range of new collaborative initiatives in AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and other critical technologies.
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