Domestic Drone Utilization Promotion Study Group Launched
Nihon Nogyo Shimbun has launched the 'Domestic Drone Utilization Promotion Study Group' and will hold a free online kickoff seminar on April 15, 2026. The event aims to enlighten the importance of domestic drones from the perspectives of Agricultural DX and economic security.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 04:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 10, 2026 at 09:01 (5h 1m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 02:36 (257h 34m after Collected)
Nihon Nogyo Shimbun (Headquarters: Taito-ku, Tokyo) will hold a free online 'Kickoff Seminar' on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 13:00, in conjunction with the launch of the 'Domestic Drone Utilization Promotion Study Group,' which supports the popularization and utilization of domestic drones. We are currently broadly seeking participants.
At this seminar, Hiroshi Iwama, Deputy Director-General of the Minister's Secretariat at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, will give a lecture on policy trends surrounding Agricultural DX and the potential for drone utilization in regional areas. In addition, Masahiro Takizawa, President and CEO of NTT e-Drone Technology, which leads domestic drone development, will introduce technological innovations and the latest trends in domestic drones. Furthermore, we will feature utilization examples from JA Toyama City, sharing practical initiatives in the field. The content is aimed at anyone interested in Agricultural DX, including farmers, JAs (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives), local governments, and manufacturers.
[Kickoff Seminar Overview (Participation Free)]
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 13:00-15:00 (planned)
Format: Online streaming (free)
Speakers:
- Hiroshi Iwama, Deputy Director-General of the Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
- Masahiro Takizawa, President and CEO, NTT e-Drone Technology Co., Ltd.
Main Topics:
- Policies and directions regarding drones
- The present and future of drone utilization in Agricultural DX
- New agricultural infrastructure pioneered by domestic technology
- Introduction of the study group's activities (free WEB seminars 3-4 times a year, etc.)
[Background of the Study Group's Establishment]
Japanese agriculture is facing unprecedented structural challenges such as a shortage of workers, climate change, and declining international competitiveness. The key expected to overcome these is 'Agricultural DX,' which realizes labor savings and sophistication in production sites.
Among them, drones are attracting attention as a technology that contributes to solving various issues, such as:
- Labor savings in pesticide spraying and fertilization
- Precision agriculture through growth sensing
- Supplementing labor shortages
- Countermeasures against bird and animal damage
- Rapid field assessment during disasters
Furthermore, with the enforcement of the 'Smart Agriculture Technology Utilization Promotion Act*' in October 2024, data utilization and the introduction of robot technology are supported from an institutional aspect, making the importance of domestic drones even higher.
Being 'domestic' means securing a technological and operational base within the country, building an agricultural infrastructure that is less susceptible to unforeseen circumstances such as foreign affairs. Based on this background, Nihon Nogyo Shimbun will accelerate the popularization and utilization of domestic drones through the study group.
[Purpose of the Study Group]
- Environmental improvement for stable drone use
- Strengthening economic security
- Development of next-generation human resources
- Utilization for solving regional issues
[Definition of Domestic Drones]
Drones that meet the following conditions are defined as 'domestic drones':
1. Designed, developed, and manufactured (mass-produced) domestically by Japanese companies
2. Flight controllers and mission computers are consistently designed, developed, and manufactured domestically
3. Control and flight system software is developed domestically
4. Led by domestic companies, capable of securing major components, software, and operational bases domestically
These are not just 'domestically produced items,' but important elements that guarantee reliability and continuity as agricultural infrastructure from the perspective of economic security.
At this seminar, Hiroshi Iwama, Deputy Director-General of the Minister's Secretariat at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, will give a lecture on policy trends surrounding Agricultural DX and the potential for drone utilization in regional areas. In addition, Masahiro Takizawa, President and CEO of NTT e-Drone Technology, which leads domestic drone development, will introduce technological innovations and the latest trends in domestic drones. Furthermore, we will feature utilization examples from JA Toyama City, sharing practical initiatives in the field. The content is aimed at anyone interested in Agricultural DX, including farmers, JAs (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives), local governments, and manufacturers.
[Kickoff Seminar Overview (Participation Free)]
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 13:00-15:00 (planned)
Format: Online streaming (free)
Speakers:
- Hiroshi Iwama, Deputy Director-General of the Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
- Masahiro Takizawa, President and CEO, NTT e-Drone Technology Co., Ltd.
Main Topics:
- Policies and directions regarding drones
- The present and future of drone utilization in Agricultural DX
- New agricultural infrastructure pioneered by domestic technology
- Introduction of the study group's activities (free WEB seminars 3-4 times a year, etc.)
[Background of the Study Group's Establishment]
Japanese agriculture is facing unprecedented structural challenges such as a shortage of workers, climate change, and declining international competitiveness. The key expected to overcome these is 'Agricultural DX,' which realizes labor savings and sophistication in production sites.
Among them, drones are attracting attention as a technology that contributes to solving various issues, such as:
- Labor savings in pesticide spraying and fertilization
- Precision agriculture through growth sensing
- Supplementing labor shortages
- Countermeasures against bird and animal damage
- Rapid field assessment during disasters
Furthermore, with the enforcement of the 'Smart Agriculture Technology Utilization Promotion Act*' in October 2024, data utilization and the introduction of robot technology are supported from an institutional aspect, making the importance of domestic drones even higher.
Being 'domestic' means securing a technological and operational base within the country, building an agricultural infrastructure that is less susceptible to unforeseen circumstances such as foreign affairs. Based on this background, Nihon Nogyo Shimbun will accelerate the popularization and utilization of domestic drones through the study group.
[Purpose of the Study Group]
- Environmental improvement for stable drone use
- Strengthening economic security
- Development of next-generation human resources
- Utilization for solving regional issues
[Definition of Domestic Drones]
Drones that meet the following conditions are defined as 'domestic drones':
1. Designed, developed, and manufactured (mass-produced) domestically by Japanese companies
2. Flight controllers and mission computers are consistently designed, developed, and manufactured domestically
3. Control and flight system software is developed domestically
4. Led by domestic companies, capable of securing major components, software, and operational bases domestically
These are not just 'domestically produced items,' but important elements that guarantee reliability and continuity as agricultural infrastructure from the perspective of economic security.