Practical Drone Training 'Hashirajima Drill 2026' to Be Held in September on Remote Island in Yamaguchi — Instructors Who Supported Noto for 20 Months to Lead

The Japan Drone Business Support Association (DBA / headquarters: Okayama City, Representative Director: Hiroji Morimoto) will co-host, with Kinshu Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, CEO: Hideyori Ariguni), a field-based practical training program titled 'Hashirajima Drill 2026 — Drone Business + Disaster Response Field Training' for drone operators and pilots. The event will take place over two nights and three days from Tuesday, September 15, to Thursday, September 17, 2026, on Hashirajima, a remote island in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. This training program features a two-layer structure: it builds upon commercial flight operations—such as aerial photography, surveying, inspection, and cargo delivery—that generate revenue, and further develops the skills and conduct required to apply these same technologies effectively in disaster zones. Limited to nine participants (three teams of three), applications close on August 15, 2026. Registration is accepted via the dedicated website.

Training Operators Who 'Earn in Peacetime and Support in Crisis'

The number of drone pilots has increased. However, those who are truly reliable in disaster zones are individuals who have not only mastered flight techniques but also learned and experienced on-site conduct and risk management. This program aims to train operators who can fly steadily as part of their regular business and respond effectively in disaster situations as a natural extension of their expertise.

Dual-Layer Training Structure of Hashirajima Drill 2026

Business Training for Peacetime (Core)

Refine the following four revenue-generating operations to a professional level: - Aerial photography - Surveying - Inspection - Cargo delivery

Technical Training for Emergencies (Added Value)

Transform commercial flight skills into practical conduct applicable in unstructured disaster environments

'First, master profitable practical operations, then build disaster response capabilities on top'—this sequence and dual-layer structure is what fundamentally distinguishes this program from one-off technical workshops. It is a实战-oriented training designed for those who want to start or expand their drone business.

Hands-On Practice of All Four Operations with Disaster Applications

Three teams of three participants will rotate through the following four operations, practicing each at a business level and learning how to apply them in disaster scenarios:

① Aerial Photography

- Overhead and current condition photography, documentation, and organization - Assessing disaster damage

② Surveying

- Photogrammetric surveying, 3D data creation - Evaluating disaster-affected areas and creating 3D terrain models

③ Inspection

- Inspection photography of solar panels, buildings, bridges, etc., using infrared (thermal) imaging - Search operations using thermal imaging

④ Cargo Delivery

- Level 3.5 flight (BVLOS without visual observers), Landing Area (LA)/Landing Zone (LZ) management - Transporting supplies and equipment

Additional training components include:

- Practical operation workshops on night flights, infrared (thermal) imaging, and autonomous flight - Emergency mission activation during training (scenario-based, simulating large-scale disasters) - Emergency first aid, CPR, and AED training (in cooperation with local fire departments) - Use of the cargo drone 'FlyCart30' for transporting equipment and supplies on the first and final days

This activity itself doubles as a practical cargo delivery experience simulating disaster relief logistics.

Learning What 'Well-Equipped Facilities' Cannot Teach: The Site Is the Island Itself

The venue is not a prepared training facility. The entire remote island of Hashirajima in Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, is used as a 'simulated disaster site,' where operations and training are conducted under limited infrastructure.

Power (generators, solar, portable power) and communications (Starlink) will be provided by the organizers. Participants will camp in team tents. The experience of executing missions in an unstructured environment cultivates both routine operational capability and disaster response readiness.

Instructors with 20 Months of On-Site Experience Supporting Noto

The greatest strength of this training is the instructors' real-world experience. Instructors with extensive commercial field experience and who have actively participated in disaster zones following the Noto Peninsula earthquake will lead the program.

- 20 months of continuous drone support in the Noto Peninsula earthquake disaster area - Instructors include former members of the Self-Defense Forces, Japan Coast Guard, and police—all experienced drone pilots - Direct instruction by Representative Director Hiroji Morimoto (over 10 years in drone business, over 9,000 flight hours)

These are individuals who have continuously flown drones in real business and disaster environments—not theoretical instructors—and will provide direct, comprehensive guidance including on-site conduct.

From Pre-Study to Completion — Participation and Completion Benefits

A pre-training preparation period of over 30 hours of online video content is provided. The curriculum is designed so participants arrive on-site with foundational knowledge in aerial photography, surveying, inspection, cargo delivery, disaster prevention, and rigging/electric winch operations.

Participation Benefits

- One disaster preparedness bag per participant (used during training and taken home) - Access to the DBA Drone Business Study Group (monthly meetings)

Completion Benefits

- Certification as 'Drone Business Master (Disaster Prevention and Mitigation)' - Certificate of Completion for Special Rigging / Electric Winch Workshop

Event Overview

Name

Hashirajima Drill 2026

Organizers

Japan Drone Business Support Association (DBA) × Kinshu Co., Ltd.

Dates

September 15 (Tue) – 17 (Thu), 2026 (2 nights, 3 days)

Venue

Hashirajima Island (remote island), Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

Capacity

9 participants (3 teams of 3)

Participation Fee

500,000 JPY (excl. tax) per person, or 1,000,000 JPY (excl. tax) per 3-person team

Eligibility

Holding a drone license and having over 100 hours of flight experience

Pre-Study

Over 30 hours of online video content for preparation

Application Deadline

August 15, 2026

Application and Details

https://www.dronebiz.pro/hashirajima/

Representative Comment (Hiroji Morimoto, Representative Director, DBA)

'Whenever a disaster strikes, people ask, 'Can drones do something?' But those truly reliable on-site are individuals who not only have stable operational experience in their daily work but also possess the skills to respond in exceptional situations. That’s why this training is designed to first solidify practical business operations—such as aerial photography, surveying, inspection, and cargo delivery—to a profitable level, and then build disaster response capabilities on top. Together with colleagues who have long supported the Noto disaster zone, we aim to train as many drone operators as possible who can earn in peacetime and support communities in crisis.'

Company Profiles

Japan Drone Business Support Association

Headquarters: Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture

Representative Director: Hiroji Morimoto

Business: Drone pilot training, pilot dispatch, business consulting, license certification

Website: https://www.drone-business.jp

Kinshu Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

CEO: Hideyori Ariguni

Business: Drone school, aerial photography, surveying, pesticide spraying, drone sales, seminars, lectures

Website: https://juida-yds.com/

【Inquiries】

Japan Drone Business Support Association (DBA)

Email: info@drone-business.jp

Hours: 10:00–16:00 (excluding weekends and holidays)

※ Phone inquiries are not accepted