Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan Announces Launch of "Japan-Ukraine Drone Cluster (JUDC)"

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

From left to right in the photo: Mr. Chien Hao-Ting, CEO of Jin Ming Industrial Co., Ltd.; Mr. Yoshimichi Okabe, Professor at Kobe Gakuin University and Chairman of the Japan-Ukraine Research Association; and Ms. Kateryna Yaborska, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan. At the JUDC launch press conference held on July 6, 2026, at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ).

The JUDC is a new industrial collaboration platform designed to connect Ukraine's cultivated expertise in drone and unmanned systems, cybersecurity, communications, AI, and autonomous control, along with its practical operational knowledge, with Japan's manufacturing capabilities, quality control, social implementation capacity, and reliable partners in Asia, including Taiwan and ASEAN.

This initiative aims to achieve new technological applications and social implementation in civilian and public sectors through practical collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders, including companies, research institutions, universities, industry associations, local governments, public organizations, and investors from Japan, Ukraine, Taiwan, and ASEAN countries.

The press conference featured Ms. Kateryna Yaborska, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan; Mr. Yoshimichi Okabe, Professor at Kobe Gakuin University and Chairman of the Japan-Ukraine Research Association; and Mr. Chien Hao-Ting, CEO of Taiwan's Jin Ming Industrial Co., Ltd. The conference explained the background of the JUDC launch, the characteristics of Ukraine's unmanned systems technology, the potential for industrial collaboration with Japan, Taiwan, and ASEAN, the JUDC's activities, and future developments.

Background of JUDC Establishment

One of the catalysts for the JUDC concept was discussions with Japanese companies and stakeholders regarding the social implementation of next-generation air mobility, commonly known as "flying cars."

Initially, the focus was on exploring the potential for Japan-Ukraine collaboration in future mobility domains such as flying cars and drone logistics. However, through ongoing dialogue, it became apparent that Ukraine's practical operational knowledge of unmanned systems, accumulated under challenging conditions, could be applied not only to specific industrial sectors but also to a broader range of civilian and public applications, including disaster response, infrastructure inspection, medical logistics, maritime security, and public safety.

In Ukraine, unmanned systems and related technologies have rapidly advanced amidst harsh environmental conditions. A key characteristic has been the rapid feedback loop from the field to technological improvements, enabling continued operation even in environments with unstable communications and GPS.

This expertise extends beyond aerial systems to encompass unmanned systems across water, underwater, and ground environments. The JUDC aims to connect these technologies and operational know-how with social implementation in civilian and public sectors, including disaster response, infrastructure inspection, medical and logistics in hard-to-reach areas, maritime security, environmental monitoring, public safety, and next-generation mobility.

Connecting Ukraine's Operational Expertise with Asia's Industrial Strength

Through the network of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan, the JUDC aims to connect with Ukrainian companies, engineers, clusters, related organizations, and specialized partners to explore concrete technological collaborations, demonstrations, joint research and development, and commercialization possibilities, leading to social implementation in civilian and public sectors. Ukraine's operational expertise, Japan's quality control and social implementation capabilities, Taiwan's technological prowess and manufacturing strength, and the industrial foundations and societal challenges of ASEAN countries offer significant potential for mutual complementarity. Unmanned systems are integrated technologies combining airframes, communications, sensors, software, components, manufacturing, and operational know-how. Therefore, reliable cross-border technological collaboration is crucial.

Access to Over 500 Drone-Related Companies and Practical Support System

In its efforts to promote economic and industrial exchange between Japan and Ukraine, the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan has built a network with Ukrainian companies, industry associations, clusters, and related organizations. Particularly in the field of drone-related technologies, UCCJ has connections with several Ukrainian clusters and associations, providing access to over 500 drone-related companies through the JUDC network. Furthermore, cross-border business involves various practical challenges, including business customs, language, contracts, legal affairs, export controls, logistics, and on-the-ground operations. The JUDC, in addition to the network established by UCCJ, has a support system with specialized partners in legal affairs, export control, and logistics to assist in the formation of concrete projects from a practical standpoint.

Key Collaboration Areas Promoted by JUDC

The JUDC will promote collaboration in a wide range of fields leading to social implementation, focusing on unmanned systems, including communications, AI, sensors, infrastructure inspection, disaster prevention, logistics, maritime technology, and next-generation mobility. Specifically, target areas include communication technologies for disaster situations, remote areas, and wide-area operations; unmanned systems such as drones, unmanned vehicles, unmanned surface vessels, and robotics; AI supporting image analysis, autonomous control, and data analysis; foundational technologies like cameras, various sensors, electronic components, and control equipment. Emphasis will be placed on applications in high-public-interest areas such as infrastructure inspection (bridges, roads, ports, power lines, communication facilities, public facilities), situational awareness during disasters, search and rescue, material transport, communication assurance, damage assessment, medical and emergency supply delivery, maritime surveillance, coastal security, port management, underwater and surface unmanned systems, and next-generation mobility including eVTOLs and autonomous vehicles.

Main Activities of JUDC

To translate industrial and technological collaboration between Japan and Ukraine into concrete business opportunities, JUDC will promote activities such as technology introductions, matchmaking, study sessions and seminars, business missions, Proof of Concept (PoC) and demonstration projects, market adaptation support, and industry-research collaboration. By introducing related technologies in unmanned systems, AI, communications, sensors, and robotics from Ukraine and Japan, and connecting stakeholders such as companies, research institutions, local governments, and investors, JUDC will support partner formation for joint development, demonstrations, and commercialization.

Furthermore, JUDC will organize study sessions and seminars on themes such as unmanned systems, dual-use technologies, disaster prevention, infrastructure inspection, logistics, and next-generation mobility, involving experts. Where necessary, it will also support mutual visits between Japan and Ukraine, company tours, meetings with local stakeholders, and the formation of PoC and demonstration projects simulating actual operational environments.

Collaboration with Japan, Taiwan, and ASEAN

While based on bilateral cooperation between Japan and Ukraine, JUDC also envisions expanding cooperation with the Asian region, including Taiwan and ASEAN. In addition to Japan's manufacturing capabilities, quality control, and social implementation capacity, Taiwan's strengths in electronic components, precision manufacturing, communications, supply chains, and mass production capabilities exhibit high complementarity with Ukraine's practical operational expertise. Moreover, in ASEAN countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, there are expanding areas where Ukraine's experience can be applied, including disaster response, maritime security, logistics, public safety, operations in environments with unstable communications, and access challenges in island, mountainous, and coastal regions. JUDC aims to serve as a practical gateway connecting Ukraine's technology network with reliable partners in Asia, including Japan, Taiwan, and ASEAN.

About Partners and Participating Companies

The JUDC will be operated and promoted by the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (UCCJ) as a network for practical industrial and technological collaboration between Japan and Ukraine. Ukraine's Dual Use Tech Cluster (UADuT Cluster) will participate as a strategic partner, providing technical expertise, industrial networks, and compliance knowledge in the field of unmanned systems. Additionally, the Kharkiv IT Cluster will act as a collaborating partner, facilitating connections with Ukrainian technology companies, startups, IT talent, and research and development networks.

JUDC involves companies and organizations with expertise in fields such as unmanned systems, robotics, AI, communications, sensing, and infrastructure inspection. Collaboration will continue to expand with diverse partners including companies, universities, research institutions, local governments, industry associations, investors, and international organizations.

Regarding Responsible International Collaboration and Compliance

JUDC emphasizes promoting transparent and reliable international industrial and technological collaboration by respecting international law, national laws, sanctions and export controls, and contractual rules. Participation and collaboration may involve verification of stakeholders' business activities, ownership and control structures, relationships with sanctioned entities, and significant business relationships, as necessary. This is not intended to exclude specific companies or countries but to build a reliable collaboration platform where stakeholders can cooperate with confidence. JUDC will proceed with practical cooperation with reliable partners in Japan, Ukraine, Taiwan, and ASEAN, based on responsible business practices and compliance.

Comment from Kateryna Yaborska, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the continued support and friendship from everyone in Japan. Today's launch of JUDC is an initiative to advance the relationship between Japan and Ukraine one step further. We wish to contribute Ukraine's experience and technology, cultivated under challenging conditions, to Japanese society and the future of Asia. JUDC is a new gateway for moving from support to co-creation, and towards practical industrial collaboration. Together with our reliable partners in Asia, including Japan, Taiwan, and ASEAN, we aim to promote technological collaboration that protects lives, strengthens communities, and contributes to a safer and more resilient future."

Future Developments

Moving forward, JUDC will engage in dialogue with companies, research institutions, universities, industry associations, government agencies, and investors in Asia, including Japan, Taiwan, and ASEAN. Opportunities to deepen understanding of Ukraine's unmanned system-related technologies, cybersecurity, communications, autonomous control, supply chain integration, and collaboration possibilities will be provided through webinars, briefing sessions, study sessions, and individual consultations.

Furthermore, through discussions with participating companies and organizations, JUDC will work to create concrete collaboration opportunities such as technology demonstrations, joint development, business matchmaking, industry events, working groups, business missions, and PoC/demonstration projects.

JUDC will connect Ukraine's operational expertise with reliable industrial partners in Asia to advance specific technological collaborations and commercialization in fields such as disaster response, infrastructure inspection, medical and logistics, maritime security, public safety, and next-generation mobility.

About the Japan-Ukraine Drone Cluster (JUDC)

The Japan-Ukraine Drone Cluster (JUDC) is an industrial collaboration initiative led by the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (UCCJ). JUDC operates under the framework of UCCJ and does not possess independent legal personality. Formal collaboration agreements with companies, universities, research institutions, local governments, and industry associations will be concluded through UCCJ. The initiative aims to connect Ukraine's cultivated expertise in drone-related technologies, cybersecurity, communications, AI, and autonomous control, along with its practical operational knowledge, with Japan's manufacturing capabilities, quality control, social implementation capacity, and reliable partners in Asia, including Taiwan and ASEAN, to achieve demonstrations, joint research and development, commercialization, and social implementation in civilian and public sectors.

About the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (UCCJ)

The Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (UCCJ) is an organization dedicated to promoting economic and industrial exchange, trade promotion, inter-company collaboration, and cultural exchange between Japan and Ukraine. It works to facilitate the expansion of Ukrainian companies into the Japanese and Asian markets, foster collaboration with Japanese companies and reliable Asian partners, and promote industrial cooperation that contributes to reconstruction efforts.

About the Ukraine Dual Use Tech Cluster (UADuT Cluster)

The Ukraine Dual Use Tech Cluster (UADuT Cluster) is an industrial cluster with specialized knowledge and networks in Ukraine's dual-use technology sector. It supports collaboration with Ukrainian companies, research institutions, engineers, and related organizations in fields such as unmanned systems, communications, AI, autonomous control, and cybersecurity.

Within JUDC, UADuT Cluster participates as a strategic partner, providing technical expertise, industrial networks, and compliance knowledge from the Ukrainian side to support practical industrial and technological collaboration between Japan and Ukraine.

About the Kharkiv IT Cluster

The Kharkiv IT Cluster is one of Ukraine's leading industrial clusters in the IT and innovation sectors.

It possesses connections with Ukrainian technology companies, startups, IT talent, and research and development networks, promoting industrial collaboration in IT, software development, AI, digital technologies, and innovation.

Within JUDC, the Kharkiv IT Cluster acts as a collaborating partner, facilitating connections with Ukrainian technology companies, startups, IT talent, and research and development networks, contributing to the expansion of possibilities for technological exchange, joint development, and business collaboration.

Contact Information

Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (UCCJ) Japan-Ukraine Drone Cluster (JUDC) Secretariat Contact: Kikuchi Email: contact@judc-jp.com Web: https://www.judc-jp.com