Leveraging Ukraine's 'Drone' Expertise for Japan's 'Disaster Response, Logistics, and Social Infrastructure': Launch of the Japan-Ukraine Drone Cluster Platform Connecting Ukraine, Japan, Taiwan, and ASEAN Countries

Scheduled speakers at the press conference, from left: Hirohiko Okabe, Professor at Kobe Gakuin University and President of the Japan-Ukraine Research Association; Katerina Yavorska, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (UCCJ); and Chien Hao-Ting, CEO of Jiin Ming Industry Co., Ltd.

The Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (UCCJ) will host a press conference on July 6, 2026 (Mon), at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ), to announce the launch of the 'Japan–Ukraine Drone Cluster' (JUDC).

JUDC is an international technology collaboration platform led by UCCJ, with cooperation from the Ukrainian Dual-Use Technologies Cluster (UADUT Cluster) and the Kharkiv IT Cluster.

This initiative aims to bridge practical expertise developed by Ukrainian tech and drone-related companies under harsh operational conditions with the manufacturing capabilities, quality control, and social implementation strengths of enterprises, research institutions, universities, industry associations, and innovation stakeholders in Japan, Taiwan, and ASEAN countries.

Ukrainian tech and drone companies have accumulated unique experience in complex operational environments—such as areas with limited GPS availability, unstable communications, damaged infrastructure, and diverse terrains including land, sea, and underwater—conditions difficult to replicate in standard testing. They have applied these insights to product improvements and technological development.

JUDC will connect Ukraine’s real-world operational knowledge with Japanese initiatives in flying cars, drone logistics, disaster response, infrastructure inspection, communication resilience, maritime and coastal surveillance, underwater infrastructure monitoring, and next-generation mobility. The platform aims to foster future technical exchanges, joint research and development, validation projects, and collaborative opportunities leading to social implementation.

Furthermore, JUDC will extend its outreach beyond Japan to facilitate connections between drone-related enterprises, engineers, and IT/tech industry networks in Ukraine and companies in Taiwan and ASEAN countries. It aims to create collaboration opportunities not only with drone manufacturers but also with firms in supporting fields such as communication equipment, cybersecurity, sensors, cameras, control software, batteries, motors, precision components, quality assurance, testing, and evaluation.

The press conference will feature Katerina Yavorska, President of UCCJ, alongside Hirohiko Okabe, Professor at Kobe Gakuin University and President of the Japan-Ukraine Research Association, and Chien Hao-Ting, CEO of Jiin Ming Industry Co., Ltd. from Taiwan, who will discuss their company’s expansion into drone systems based on precision manufacturing and reliable supply chains.

JUDC will promote collaboration by connecting Ukraine’s field-tested expertise, Japan’s research, manufacturing, quality management, and social implementation capabilities, and Taiwan and ASEAN’s strengths in electronic components, communications, and mass production. It aims to drive technological exchange and partnership opportunities in areas such as flying cars, drone logistics, disaster response, infrastructure inspection, and public safety.

Background of JUDC’s Launch

In Japan, efforts are underway to realize new social infrastructure using drones—such as flying cars, drone logistics, disaster response, infrastructure inspection, supply delivery to remote islands, maritime surveillance, and communication support—through demonstration projects, regulatory development, and social implementation.

However, actual deployment faces numerous challenges. For example, mountainous and disaster-stricken areas often suffer from unstable communications, while urban areas require handling complex radio environments and high-level safety management. Operational conditions in maritime, coastal, underwater infrastructure, disaster zones, and isolated regions often exceed what can be tested in standard environments.

Ukrainian tech and drone companies have continuously improved their unmanned systems and related technologies under such extreme conditions. They have gained practical experience in GPS-independent operations, establishing networks in low-connectivity areas, relay-based communications, simultaneous multi-drone operations, ground-based drones, and operations across land, sea, and water domains.

Moreover, Ukraine has developed a growing industrial and technological network around drone-related technologies. JUDC is established as a framework to support connections and information exchange between these Ukrainian technology and industry stakeholders and companies in Japan, Taiwan, and ASEAN.

Potential Applications of Ukrainian Drone Technology

JUDC emphasizes connecting Ukraine’s field-proven expertise with societal challenges and next-generation industries in Japan, Taiwan, and ASEAN countries. The platform will actively explore technical exchanges, information sharing, and future collaboration in the following areas:

- Safe operation support for flying cars, next-generation air mobility, and drone logistics - Damage assessment in disaster zones, aid delivery to isolated areas, and communication restoration - Supply delivery to remote islands and mountainous regions, and communication support using relay drones - Autonomous operations in GPS-denied environments and wide-area monitoring, search, and inspection using multiple drones - Maritime and coastal surveillance, underwater infrastructure inspection, and deployment of ground drones in hazardous areas - Cybersecurity and secure communication infrastructure, enhancing resilience of critical infrastructure

These themes are particularly relevant for Japan, Taiwan, and ASEAN countries, which face challenges related to island and mountainous regions, natural disasters, logistics, and communication. JUDC will bridge Ukraine’s field-tested knowledge with regional societal needs and industrial demands, fostering collaboration that may lead to future technology validation, joint development, and real-world implementation.

Targeted Organizations and Companies

JUDC aims to connect with companies and organizations interested in technical exchange, information sharing, joint research, and future industrial collaboration and social implementation in drone-related technologies, including:

- Drone, unmanned systems, flying car, and next-generation air mobility companies - Operators in drone logistics, disaster response, infrastructure inspection, public safety, and critical infrastructure - Firms specializing in communications, cybersecurity, sensors, AI, autonomous control, and flight management - Battery, motor, precision component, quality control, and testing companies - Research institutions, universities, and local governments - Japanese, Taiwanese, and ASEAN companies seeking collaboration with Ukrainian technological and field expertise

Future Outlook

JUDC will leverage the respective industrial strengths of Ukrainian tech and drone companies’ field experience, Japan’s research, manufacturing, quality control, and social implementation capabilities, and Taiwan and ASEAN’s expertise in electronic components, communications, software, and mass production. The platform will promote international collaboration centered on drone-related technologies, including knowledge sharing, joint research, and future social implementation. It will also provide new opportunities for businesses, researchers, research institutions, and industry groups to explore partnerships.

At the same time, JUDC will operate as a transparent international industrial cooperation framework, fully compliant with relevant national laws, export controls, and compliance requirements.

Press Conference Overview

Name: Press Conference on the Launch of the Japan–Ukraine Drone Cluster (JUDC) Date and Time: July 6, 2026 (Mon), 13:00–14:00 Venue: Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ) Organizer: Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (UCCJ) Speakers: Katerina Yavorska, Hirohiko Okabe, Chien Hao-Ting Format: Press conference with Q&A session Language: English (planned)

*Note: Date, speakers, and content are subject to change. Updates will be provided once confirmed.

Speaker Profiles

Katerina Yavorska President, Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (UCCJ)

As President of UCCJ, Katerina Yavorska promotes enhanced economic, industrial, and technological cooperation between Japan and Ukraine. She connects businesses, research institutions, industry groups, and public-sector stakeholders, supporting business matchmaking, investment dialogues, and international collaboration projects.

Within the JUDC initiative, she will advance opportunities for engagement among Ukrainian, Japanese, Taiwanese, and ASEAN enterprises, research institutions, and industry players, fostering technical exchange, information sharing, joint research, and future international collaboration in fields such as drones, communications, cybersecurity, sensors, control technologies, and precision manufacturing.

Hirohiko Okabe Professor, Faculty of Economics, Kobe Gakuin University / President, Japan-Ukraine Research Association

Professor at Kobe Gakuin University’s Faculty of Economics and Director of its International Exchange Center. He has long been active in Ukraine studies, Japan-Ukraine relations, and international exchange as President of the Japan-Ukraine Research Association.

He has contributed to strengthening Japan-Ukraine relations through academic exchange, international cooperation, and promoting public understanding. At this press conference, he will speak on the significance of Japan-Ukraine collaboration, the public value of technological cooperation, and the potential for international partnerships in addressing societal challenges.

Chien Hao-Ting Chief Executive Officer, Jiin Ming Industry Co., Ltd. (Jinming Industrial Co., Ltd.)

Jiin Ming Industry Co., Ltd., headquartered in Taiwan, is a precision manufacturing company that has expanded from precision components into smart infrastructure, new energy, data centers, UAVs, and advanced application fields.

At this press conference, Chien Hao-Ting will speak from the perspective of Taiwan’s industry, innovation, and ecosystem, discussing the potential for drone-related supply chains, precision manufacturing, smart infrastructure, technology integration, and reliable international industrial collaboration across Asia.

Partner Organizations

Ukrainian Dual-Use Technologies Cluster (UADUT Cluster)

The Ukrainian Dual-Use Technologies Cluster (UADUT Cluster) is a network of enterprises and professionals in Ukraine specializing in advanced technologies such as drones, communications, sensors, AI, autonomous control, and cybersecurity. JUDC collaborates with UADUT Cluster to facilitate connections with Ukrainian technological and industrial networks and to promote knowledge sharing and technical exchange in drone-related technologies.

Kharkiv IT Cluster

The Kharkiv IT Cluster is an industry association based in Kharkiv, Ukraine, connecting IT companies, educational institutions, government bodies, and tech professionals. It promotes tech business development, talent cultivation, international collaboration, and ecosystem building. JUDC collaborates with the Kharkiv IT Cluster to facilitate connections with Ukrainian IT and tech companies and to support international technological cooperation.

About the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (UCCJ)

The Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (UCCJ) is an organization dedicated to promoting economic, trade, industrial, and cultural exchange between Japan and Ukraine. Through supporting Ukrainian companies entering the Japanese market, assisting Japanese companies expanding into Ukraine, promoting reconstruction-related projects, facilitating technological collaboration, business matchmaking, and information dissemination, UCCJ aims to realize sustainable economic cooperation between the two countries.

Inquiries

Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan Contact: Takashi Kikuchi Email: Office@uccj-ukr.com