"A Decade of Drone Implementation in Review" - Drone Japan Chairman Hisanori Sunohara to Hold Special Seminar on "Why is the Drone Industry So Difficult?" to Commemorate 100th drone.jp Column

Drone Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kiichiro Katsumata), a company specializing in drone-based business development and consulting, will hold a special seminar titled "Why is the Drone Industry So Difficult?" (~The "Structure" Revealed Through 100 Columns and Insights on drone.jp~) on May 13 and May 20, 2026. The event commemorates the 10th year and 100th installment of the column series by the company's Chairman, Hisanori Sunohara.

This seminar, based on the analysis accumulated over 10 years and 100 columns, will organize the essence of the drone industry from the perspective of its "industrial structure" and present future business strategies and paths to victory.

■ Background:

Why isn't the drone industry expanding?

While the drone industry has garnered great expectations as the "Industrial Revolution of the Sky," it faces structural challenges such as:

・Numerous proof-of-concept tests that don't lead to implementation

・Technology that exists but fails to be monetized

・A market that exists but fails to scale

In his column series, Sunohara has advocated that drones should be perceived not as aircraft, but as "data acquisition devices" and "digital platforms."

He has consistently pointed out that businesses cannot succeed without understanding the industry's three-layered structure of hardware, software, and data.

This seminar will systematize these 100 insights, clearly explaining "why so many companies fail" and "how they can succeed."

■ Seminar Highlights

1. Clarifying the "Structure of Failure"

We will analyze case studies of proof-of-concept tests and business development from the past 10 years to organize the common structure explaining why drone businesses fail to take off.

2. Evolution and Current State of the Drone Industry

Based on the evolution from Drone 1.0 (Hardware) to Drone 3.0 (Platform), we will explain where the competitive landscape is shifting.

3. Japan's Unique Structural Issues

We will unravel the uniquely Japanese problem of being "stuck at the demonstration phase" from the perspectives of business models, operational design, and regulations.

4. Geopolitics and the Supply Chain

As drones transform into national security technology, we will explain the impact of issues like dependency on China, procurement, and domestic production on business.

5. Future Paths to Victory

As the competitive focus shifts from hardware to software, data, and platforms, we will present the strategies that companies should adopt.

■ Event Overview

• Title: "Why is the Drone Industry So Difficult?"

(~The "Structure" Revealed Through 100 Columns and Insights on drone.jp~)

• Speaker: Hisanori Sunohara, Chairman, Drone Japan Co., Ltd.

• Dates: May 13, 2026 (Wed) 15:00-17:00

May 20, 2026 (Wed) 15:00-17:00

(The content will be the same for both dates)

• Format: [In-person: Risona Kudan Building 5F KS Floor Seminar Room, 1-5-6 Kudanminami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / and Online broadcast]

• Target Audience: Executives and new business developers at companies promoting or utilizing drones, companies in infrastructure, construction, logistics, and security, local government officials, etc.

• Fee: Free (pre-registration required)

• Details & Registration: https://www.drone-j.com/consulting-seminar/seminar_260513_0520/

■ Exclusive Bonus for Seminar Attendees

All attendees will receive the "Drone Business Structure Guide 2026 (100 Column Summary Edition)," a re-edited compilation of the essence of Sunohara's 100 drone.jp columns.

【About Drone Japan Co., Ltd.】

Drone Japan has built a 10-year track record since its establishment in 2015. It is a drone startup with deep knowledge of drone software (like ArduPilot) and extensive consulting experience ranging from agriculture to infrastructure inspection. With the mission "From Technology to Business, From Business to Society," the company supports highly effective drone utilization.

• Representative: Kiichiro Katsumata, CEO

• Location: Risona Kudan Building 5F KS Floor, 1-5-6 Kudanminami, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

• Established: December 2015

• Business: Drone-related consulting, R&D support, education, agricultural support services

• URL: https://www.drone-j.com/