28 Taiwanese Companies Target Japan's Drone Market at Exhibition
Twenty-eight Taiwanese drone and aerospace supply chain companies, supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, formed a 'Taiwan Pavilion' at Japan Drone 2026 in Makuhari, Chiba, aiming to capture opportunities in the Japanese market. Representative to Japan Lee Yi-yang noted Taiwan's rapid drone export growth but pointed out that exports to Japan are still mainly components. He expressed optimism about Taiwan-Japan cooperation in non-China supply chains, key components, and cybersecurity certification.
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- 📰 Published: June 3, 2026 at 22:33
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(Central News Agency, Tokyo, 3rd, by Tai Ya-chen) Japan's drone market has grown rapidly in recent years, with related demand continuing to expand, creating new business opportunities for Taiwanese companies. At the Japan International Drone Exhibition currently being held in Makuhari, Chiba, 28 Taiwanese drone and aerospace supply chain companies have gathered to form a 'Taiwan Pavilion,' showcasing the strength of Taiwan's drone industry and actively expanding into the Japanese market.
Despite Typhoon Gaemi affecting the Kanto region, the Japan International Drone Exhibition (Japan Drone 2026) opened as scheduled today. The Taiwan Excellent Drone International Business Opportunity Alliance (TEDIBOA) and the Taiwan Drone Association, with support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, led Taiwanese companies to participate in the exhibition.
Representative to Japan Lee Yi-yang was also invited to attend the opening ceremony. He toured the exhibition area with Deputy Director-General of the Industrial Development Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Tsou Yu-hsin; President of Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), Chuang Hsiu-mei; Secretary-General of the Taiwan Defense Industry Development Association, Hsu Shou-chang; and Chairman of the Taiwan Drone Association, Chang Chun-hao.
In a Facebook post, Lee stated that Taiwan's drone industry has developed rapidly in recent years, with both complete machine manufacturing and component technology reaching international standards, earning high recognition from the Japanese industry. He believes the Japanese market still has significant room for future development, making it worthwhile for Taiwanese companies to continue their deep engagement.
According to statistics cited by Lee, Taiwan's total drone export value last year reached US$93.42 million, a 21-fold increase from the previous year. From January to April this year, exports reached US$147.73 million, surpassing the total for all of last year. The export volume also reached 180,000 units, higher than last year's total of 130,000 units. The main export markets for complete drones are the Czech Republic, Poland, and the United States.
Lee noted that exports to Japan are still primarily components. Last year's export value was US$38.46 million, and the first quarter of this year has already reached US$15.26 million. If the current growth momentum is maintained, the annual figure could grow by 50-60% compared to last year.
He pointed out that Japan currently has approximately 360,000 drones, of which over 90% (91%) come from China, while Japan's domestic production rate is only about 3%. Due to this low self-sufficiency rate, 'small drones' have been listed as a priority development item among the 17 growth strategy industrial fields led by Prime Minister Takayuki Sanae.
Lee explained that Japan's drone industry possesses excellent technology in areas such as materials, precision machining, sensors, optical components, communications, image transmission, engines and motors, and batteries. Meanwhile, Taiwan is actively promoting the development of the core drone technologies known as the 'three chips and two software,' which include flight control chips and modules, communication chips and modules, satellite positioning chips and modules, as well as flight control software and ground control software.
Furthermore, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) obtained the qualification as the first overseas 'Green UAS' authorized certification hub from the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) earlier this year, responsible for conducting drone cybersecurity compliance and supply chain audits in Taiwan.
Lee emphasized that amid geopolitical tensions and the global supply chain restructuring wave, 'non-China supply chains' have become a focal point of international industrial layout. He stated that Taiwan and Japan can deepen cooperation in key components, core modules, joint R&D, cybersecurity certification, and application fields to jointly build a safer and more reliable drone supply chain. He also stressed that the Representative Office in Japan will continue to cooperate with the Ministry of Economic Affairs to assist Taiwanese companies in seizing development opportunities in the Japanese market. (Editor: Chen Hui-ping) 1150603
Despite Typhoon Gaemi affecting the Kanto region, the Japan International Drone Exhibition (Japan Drone 2026) opened as scheduled today. The Taiwan Excellent Drone International Business Opportunity Alliance (TEDIBOA) and the Taiwan Drone Association, with support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, led Taiwanese companies to participate in the exhibition.
Representative to Japan Lee Yi-yang was also invited to attend the opening ceremony. He toured the exhibition area with Deputy Director-General of the Industrial Development Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Tsou Yu-hsin; President of Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC), Chuang Hsiu-mei; Secretary-General of the Taiwan Defense Industry Development Association, Hsu Shou-chang; and Chairman of the Taiwan Drone Association, Chang Chun-hao.
In a Facebook post, Lee stated that Taiwan's drone industry has developed rapidly in recent years, with both complete machine manufacturing and component technology reaching international standards, earning high recognition from the Japanese industry. He believes the Japanese market still has significant room for future development, making it worthwhile for Taiwanese companies to continue their deep engagement.
According to statistics cited by Lee, Taiwan's total drone export value last year reached US$93.42 million, a 21-fold increase from the previous year. From January to April this year, exports reached US$147.73 million, surpassing the total for all of last year. The export volume also reached 180,000 units, higher than last year's total of 130,000 units. The main export markets for complete drones are the Czech Republic, Poland, and the United States.
Lee noted that exports to Japan are still primarily components. Last year's export value was US$38.46 million, and the first quarter of this year has already reached US$15.26 million. If the current growth momentum is maintained, the annual figure could grow by 50-60% compared to last year.
He pointed out that Japan currently has approximately 360,000 drones, of which over 90% (91%) come from China, while Japan's domestic production rate is only about 3%. Due to this low self-sufficiency rate, 'small drones' have been listed as a priority development item among the 17 growth strategy industrial fields led by Prime Minister Takayuki Sanae.
Lee explained that Japan's drone industry possesses excellent technology in areas such as materials, precision machining, sensors, optical components, communications, image transmission, engines and motors, and batteries. Meanwhile, Taiwan is actively promoting the development of the core drone technologies known as the 'three chips and two software,' which include flight control chips and modules, communication chips and modules, satellite positioning chips and modules, as well as flight control software and ground control software.
Furthermore, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) obtained the qualification as the first overseas 'Green UAS' authorized certification hub from the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) earlier this year, responsible for conducting drone cybersecurity compliance and supply chain audits in Taiwan.
Lee emphasized that amid geopolitical tensions and the global supply chain restructuring wave, 'non-China supply chains' have become a focal point of international industrial layout. He stated that Taiwan and Japan can deepen cooperation in key components, core modules, joint R&D, cybersecurity certification, and application fields to jointly build a safer and more reliable drone supply chain. He also stressed that the Representative Office in Japan will continue to cooperate with the Ministry of Economic Affairs to assist Taiwanese companies in seizing development opportunities in the Japanese market. (Editor: Chen Hui-ping) 1150603
FAQ
When and where was Japan Drone 2026 held?
It started on June 3, 2026, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture.
How many Taiwanese companies participated?
28 drone and aerospace companies participated, forming the Taiwan Pavilion.
Which are the fastest-growing export markets for Taiwanese drones?
The Czech Republic, Poland, and the United States are the main export markets.