Terra Lab: The Era of Indispensable Use of Civilian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in the Security Domain

Terra Lab Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture; Representative Director: Takaei Matsuura) held an international conference titled "Dual-Use Applications of Unmanned Aircraft Systems — The Role of Civil Technologies in International Security —" on June 5, 2026, at Makuhari Messe during Japan Drone 2026, one of the largest drone exhibitions in Japan.

The session featured Hideki Tsuchimoto, former Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA); Koichi Isobe, Representative Director of the Security Business Innovation Association (SBIJ) and former Commanding General of the JGSDF Eastern Army (Lieutenant General); and Takaei Matsuura, Representative Director of Terra Lab. They discussed the importance of dual-use technologies surrounding unmanned aerial vehicles, the application of civilian technology in the security field, and the role of Japanese companies in international security.

In recent years, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/UAV) have been positioned as technologies playing a crucial role not only in civilian fields such as disaster response, infrastructure monitoring, and public safety but also in the security domain. In conflicts and natural disasters worldwide, the use of UAVs for intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and enhanced situational awareness is advancing, leading to growing expectations for dual-use technologies based on civilian technology.

During the session, opinions were exchanged on the role of UAV technology and future prospects from the perspectives of policy, security, and industry.

■ Session Title
Dual-Use Applications of Unmanned Aircraft Systems — The Role of Civil Technologies in International Security —

■ Date and Time: June 5, 2026 (Friday) 14:30-15:30

■ Venue: Japan Drone 2026 International Conference Hall

■ Session Purpose Explanation

Moderator: Takaei Matsuura (Representative Director, Terra Lab Co., Ltd.)

Takaei Matsuura (Representative Director, Terra Lab Co., Ltd.)

He noted that due to recent changes in the international situation, advanced technologies including UAVs are rapidly increasing in importance in the security field. He also explained that in Japan, expectations for the use of civilian technology and dual-use technologies are rising against the backdrop of the formulation of the three defense documents and the strengthening of economic security policies.

Terra Lab's initiatives were also introduced as examples. He introduced the long-range flight UAV 'TerraDolphin VTOL', wide-area observation technology, and the construction of a Common Operational Picture (COP), and explained that technologies cultivated in disaster response can also be applied to enhance ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and C4ISR in the security field.

He introduced the agreement concluded with the Defence Technology Institute (DTI) of Thailand at Japan Drone 2026, and expressed the intention to promote international cooperation in disaster response and security fields using unmanned aircraft systems, with coordination and support from the Security Business Innovation Association (SBIJ).

Furthermore, he stated, "The environment surrounding UAVs is changing significantly worldwide, and security and industrial policies in Japan are entering a new phase. We planned this session as an opportunity to deepen understanding of these social conditions and policy trends, and to consider the role that private companies and startups should play."

■ Lecture 1: "Evolution of Drones and the Current State and Challenges of the Japan Self-Defense Forces"
Koichi Isobe (Representative Director, Security Business Innovation Association (SBIJ); former Commanding General of the JGSDF Eastern Army (Lieutenant General))

Koichi Isobe (Representative Director, Security Business Innovation Association (SBIJ); former Commanding General of the JGSDF Eastern Army (Lieutenant General))

Citing recent examples such as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the war in Ukraine, he explained that UAVs have become indispensable in the modern security environment. He particularly described the shift from reliance on traditional expensive equipment to operations utilizing large numbers of inexpensive UAVs, and the importance of integrated operations centered on software.

He also introduced the Ministry of Defense's efforts to develop unmanned asset defense capabilities and trends in expanding the use of UAVs within the SDF, and expressed the view that future capabilities will depend not on hardware alone, but on the overall system including communications, AI, and data sharing.

Furthermore, he stated, "The center of technological innovation is shifting to the private sector, and collaboration with private companies and startups will become more important than ever in the security field," and expressed the view that building a technology base through public-private partnership is necessary to respond to changes in Japan's security environment.

■ Lecture 2: "Challenges and Directions for Strengthening the Defense Industry"
Hideki Tsuchimoto (Special Advisor, Security Business Innovation Association; former Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency)

Hideki Tsuchimoto (Special Advisor, Security Business Innovation Association; former Commissioner of the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency)

Based on the three security documents including the National Security Strategy formulated in 2022, he explained the changes in the environment surrounding Japan's defense industry. He particularly noted that the defense industry has come to be positioned as "defense capability itself."

He also explained recent institutional reforms such as the enactment of the Defense Production Base Strengthening Act and the revision of the profit rate calculation method, and expressed the view that to respond to changes in the security environment, it is essential not only for defense companies but also for companies with excellent civilian technologies and startups to enter the field.

Furthermore, he touched upon the important role that dual-use technologies such as UAVs, AI, and space technology will play in the future security field, stating, "Technological innovation and strengthening the industrial base through public-private collaboration will be the key to supporting both Japan's security and international competitiveness," and expressed expectations for the creation of new innovations in the defense and dual-use fields.

■ Discussion Theme 1: "The Importance of Dual-Use and Its Background"

There was a shared recognition that the importance of dual-use technologies is rapidly increasing in the security field due to recent changes in the international situation. Particularly in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, civilian technologies such as UAVs and AI have been widely used, and rapid technology development and mass production systems utilizing civilian production facilities and R&D bases are being established.

Based on these examples, it was suggested that for the future security environment, it is important to build a system that can utilize civilian technologies and industrial bases during peacetime, not just defense-specific technologies and industries, and that this would lead to securing sustainment capability in contingencies and rapid response to new threats.

There was also a shared recognition that investment in dual-use technologies could contribute not only to the security field but also to Japan's overall industrial competitiveness and economic growth.

■ Discussion Theme 2: "Methods for Utilizing Civilian Technology in the Security Field"

The panelists shared the recognition that building a strong industrial base during peacetime is important for utilizing civilian technology in the security field.