Japan Quick Tech Update
June was an eventful month for technology in Japan, with the country unveiling a Covid-19 vaccine passport system planned for release in July.
As the Tokyo Olympics draw nearer, the city confirmed live-viewing events will be cancelled due to the pandemic, and the venues will instead be used for vaccinations.
In other news, tech giant Nikon announced the end of camera body production in Japan by end of the year, spurred by the spread of highly-performant camera smartphones.
Japan’s military has also been active this month, reporting plans to develop unmanned aircrafts equipped with artificial intelligence to support next-generation fighter jets.
Finally, June is the month of the Drone Expo in Japan, an event taking place near Tokyo and showcasing the latest drone technologies in the country.
This issue of TÉKUNI is about the Drone Expo, and more generally the state of regulations and adoption of drone technologies in Japan.
I have spoken about these topics with Asa Quesenberry, the CEO of Osaka-based drone service provider DroNext.
👨💻 TÉKUNI Exclusive - Asa Quesenberry
Asa began his professional career by going to Arizona State University, where he studied sustainability and urban planning.
“This was the first time I was introduced to drone technology. We were using the equipment at the time to help with building modelling, civil mapping and inspection work.”
After his studies, Asa became an intern at a smaller drone company, then moved to Canada to work for another firm within the drone industry.
He spent some time going back and forth between the US and Canada, working with UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) systems as well as ROV (remotely operated vehicle) equipment, then he moved to Japan and has been there since 2018.
“I originally came to the country for just a six-month trip. However, I quickly fell in love with it, and in particular my city, Osaka. Six months became a year, and then before I knew it, three years had passed.”
During his first months in Japan, Asa quickly realised he loved being in the country, but he wanted to contribute more to its growth and his community in particular.
“That thought manifested in starting a business. After a bit of research, I realised that in 2018, Japan's drone industry was rather behind when compared to other developed countries. So I saw a market fit for my experience and DroNext was born.”
For context, DroNext is built up as a service provider. The company utilises UAV and aquatic ROV equipment to help clients across a variety of industries.
“Essentially, it doesn't make sense for clients to invest in training or managing a full internal drone operator team when they may use the equipment once or twice a year depending on the project,” Asa explains.
“Our team fills that need. Companies outsource operator work to us as we have the equipment, insurances, permissions and licenses necessary to do that work here in Japan.”
Looking at DroNext’s work in the past couple of years, Asa says he can see a substantial opportunity over the coming decade for this industry, particularly considering Japan is in its very nature an island country.
“So DroNext having the flexibility to work within both the aerial and aquatic environments puts us at an advantage here.”
The Drone Expo
Asa was not able to attend the Drone Expo in Tokyo this year, but he did follow its coverage on the press.
“In my opinion, based on this year's expo, it looks like the drone industry here in Japan is rapidly picking up steam with a few consistent themes.”
Large corporation presence: “A lot of large Japanese conglomerates seem to be investing in drone tech, with names like Yamaha, Toyota and more, all having their hands in various projects.”
Japan-based manufacturing: “With the rising geopolitical tension with China, the mantra of ‘made in Japan’ is becoming stronger than ever, with no industry showing this more than the drone industry. At the small scale service provider level, most companies still work primarily with DJI [based in China], but it’s clear the top of the industry is heavily […] investing in Japan-based drone manufacturing companies. ProDrone, TerraDrone and Yamaha to name a few.”
Urban Air Mobility (UAM) focus. “There is a huge drive in Japan to build out UAM systems. I believe there are currently around 25 Japanese startups focused solely on UAM and air traffic control systems/integration. I personally love this focus as I think it can really benefit the country as a whole.”
Commenting on the Drone Expo event more generally, Asa believes the event is slowly approaching its mature stage.
“This year, the event was the biggest ever in terms of vendors and presentations, which speaks to the rapid developments happening in the Japanese drone sector.”
However, Asa explains, outside of a few industries (surveying, mapping, film) the tech is not yet very ‘commonplace’ in Japanese society.
That being said, the CEO also believes there is a rapidly growing number of companies investing in drone technology, services and development.
“Commercially, the biggest application focus (or at least the ones getting the most attention and financing) is currently on logistics and UAM systems.”
Big companies like Rakuten and the Japan Post have also begun trials on delivering parcels via drone with a focus placed on more rural and inaccessible areas.
“For people living on less densely populated islands in the inner Japan sea or south in the Ryuku island chain, this would greatly improve efficiency and quality of life.”
In addition, firms such as SkyDrive are heavily involved in creating working flying car ‘passenger drone’ models to be used within the national UAM programs.
“This tech has already been developed, tested and released and is currently just waiting on regulations to catch up.”
Heavily Regulated
Drones are heavily regulated in Japan. According to Asa, this is mainly due to events that unfolded in 2015, when a protester landed a drone on the prime minister's residence to protest inaction in cleaning up the Fukushima nuclear disaster area.
“Despite this, there are a number of positive signs from legislators that show a government-backed desire to mature the drone industry in Japan.”
For example, in 2022 the Government plans on releasing the first national Japanese drone license, which would reportedly clear up a lot of confusion regarding permissions and qualifications.
Moreover, the upcoming Society 5.0 initiative is set to incentivize businesses that use drone tech along with other 4th gen industrial revolution technology.
In addition to strict government regulations, the public is also a bit wary of drone technology in Japan.
“If you’re using DJI drones it is commonplace to assume you are a ‘spy’,” Asa explains, “and larger government projects bar companies from using DJI tech as it’s considered a security risk.”
According to the DroNext CEO, most people are curious about drones, but in more culturally sensitive cities like Kyoto, the technology is looked down on as an annoyance and something that ruins the traditional culture of the area.
“As a business here, working with drones, a lot of my time is spent educating clients on the value and benefits of incorporating the tech. However, once they're made aware, they become eager to try out the equipment.”
The Future of Drones in Japan
Asa believes drone applications will become more widespread in the near future in Japan.
“Without a doubt. I think the fact that I established my company here is a testament to that feeling. All signs currently are pointing towards rapid growth and adoption of drones in the country throughout the 2020s.”
For companies looking to be involved with drone projects in Japan or interested in entering the Japanese market, Asa said they can contact him through LinkedIn or his company’s website.
“It's an exciting time to be working here, with many changes building up and gaining momentum”.
Japan is also aiming to introduce a functioning UAM system by 2023, with more than 200 national units in operation in time for the 2025 Osaka Expo.
“The biggest hurdles right now in Japan for drones are definitely upgrading legislation, creating a better insurance system and educating the public on its value!”
❓ Want to find out more about the latest tech news in Japan?
🔗 Here is the newsletter’s link section:
Space agency to put Transformable Robot on the moon - Phys.org
Farmers turning to technology to overcome pandemic - Kyodo
Japan softens commitment to nuclear - Kyodo
Corporate Japan fights to keep up in quantum computing - Nikkei
Students Develop Technologies to Aid Communication - NHK
Hyundai Acquires Boston Dynamics - VICE
Japan Particle observatory announces upgrades - The Asahi Shimbun
Managing operations with mixed reality - NHK
Fugaku retains title as world’s fastest computer - The Asahi Shimbun
Toyota, Honda suspend vehicle production in Malaysia - Kyodo
Japan to develop unmanned defense aircraft - NHK
Nikon to end camera body production in Japan by end of year - Kyodo
Akihabara game centre Adores Building 2 is closing forever - TimeOut
Ex-illegal manga site operator sentenced to 3 yrs in jail - Kyodo
Gov pleads to curb inappropriate photos - Sora News 24
Tokyo Olympic live-viewing events will be cancelled - TimeOut
Fukui nuclear unit is Japan's 1st to operate beyond 40-yr limit - Kyodo
Japan lags behind in cyber capabilities - Kyodo
Half-Width vs. Full-Width: A Tale of Two Characters - TokyoMate
Japanese Firm Helps Foreign Tech Wizards Build Dreams - NHK
Cafe has robot waiters controlled by disabled workers - TimeOut
Company develops no-contact touch panels - Japan Today
Honda creates a GPS navigation system for shoes - Sora News 24
Tamagotchi is making a comeback - TimeOut
Gundam Breaker Battlogue Project unveiled - AP
Fiber maker Teijin pitches cool casual clothing featuring fans - Kyodo
teamLab Planets Tokyo is getting two new installations - TimeOut
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