Future of Japan's manned deep-sea submersible in limbo

However, developing a Shinkai successor is not easy. According to the manufacturer, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., the engineers who were involved in the original construction are no longer with the company. In fact, the technology for manufacturing the pressure-resistant hull has been all but lost, and estimating the time and cost of new development is problematic.

Outsource?

waste of money who cares?

Outsource?

Or start ups.

Team up with Australia who are world leaders in HOV deep sea submersible construction.

https://www.whoi.edu/what-we-do/explore/underwater-vehicles/deepseachallenger/

There is much that can be learned when we open up the possibility of sharing experience and ideas. Japan has a history of "out of the box" thinking and would team well with others to gain experience in areas they have let slip or never had. It is about sharing the load and the bounty.