Aviation Innovation Academy 2026 Opens

The Japanese aviation industry is facing unprecedented transformation. Following recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines are rapidly advancing new business models, digitalization, and sustainability initiatives. Meanwhile, on the manufacturing side, challenges are being undertaken in next-generation air mobility such as flying cars and drones, and electric/hydrogen aircraft, alongside supply chain restructuring and responses to economic security. Furthermore, diverse changes are occurring across the entire value chain, including finance, airports, and MRO. As startups and new entrants from different industries emerge globally, accelerating innovation beyond conventional frameworks, Japan's aviation industry has entered an era where 'survival is impossible without change.'

At this crucial juncture where crisis and opportunity intersect, it is essential for mid-career and younger professionals who will bear the future of the industry to learn about the past and present of the sector and to acquire a comprehensive and structural perspective backed by solid knowledge. It is also important to master frameworks necessary for thinking about the future, such as the ability to formulate questions and scenario building. 'Aviation Innovation Academy 2026' will offer participants the opportunity to learn broadly and deeply about industry knowledge from leading experts at the forefront of industry, government, and academia, and to conceive 'the next step for the aviation industry' alongside diverse peers from beyond the industry through group work and dialogue. We invite all who aim to become human resources driving industry transformation to take a new step forward with us from this academy!!

<Event Outline>

Organizer: General Incorporated Association Aviation Innovation Promotion Council (AIDA) https://aida.or.jp/

Co-organizer: University of Tokyo Future Vision Research Center

Supporters (Application Pending): Japan Economic Research Institute, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) (scheduled), Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC

Dates: May ~ July 2026

Time: 18:00-20:00, some sessions 13:00-18:00 (includes networking event)

Capacity: Approximately 30 people

Participant Eligibility: Individuals aged 40 or under engaged in work or research related to the aviation industry. Maximum of 2 participants per company,

Proxy attendance for some lectures is negotiable.

Venue: Deloitte Tohmatsu Innovation Park, Grand Cube, University of Tokyo Hongo Campus, Nikken Sekkei PYNT Takebashi (5F Palace Side Building), Co-Creation Park KAWARUBA

Participation Fee/person: 50,000 JPY (AIDA Member), 100,000 JPY (Non-member, treated as member if applied with member), 10,000 JPY (Student, max 5, lottery if exceeded)

Application Link: https://forms.gle/2MjGXnM8AM498miN9

<Program> (Tentative)
Details: https://sites.google.com/view/aidaacademy2026
 May 8th: Positioning of the Academy and Innovation

Shinji Suzuki, Representative Director of AIDA, Project Professor at the University of Tokyo Future Vision Research Center

Academy Orientation and Introduction

Manabu Iwamoto, Senior Researcher, Development Bank of Japan Inc.

Looking Back at the History of Japan's Aviation Industry

To be confirmed

Looking Back at Japan's Aviation Administration

Hiroyuki Hosokawa, Planning and Coordination Officer, Safety Policy Division, Civil Aviation Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism

Daisuke Fujihara, Section Chief, Research Promotion Office, Technology Policy Division, International Strategy Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

May 15th: Domestic Passenger Aircraft (MRJ/MSJ)

Kazushi Iwasa, Representative, Team45

May 22nd: Future of Japanese Aircraft Development (Tentative)

To be confirmed

Aircraft Development (Tentative)

To be confirmed

Frontline of Global Aircraft Development

Akinori Okuda, President, Kosoken Inc.

May 29th: Strengthening Industrial Base & Supply Chain (Tentative)

Japan Aero Forge Inc., To be confirmed

Vision for Japan's Aircraft Equipment Business

Daisuke Suhara, General Manager, Business Development, Aerospace Sales Department, Sinfonia Technology Co., Ltd.

Carbon Fiber Composite Materials and Their Application in Aviation

Norimitsu Natsume, General Manager, ACM Technology Department, Toray Industries, Inc.

June 5th: Narita Airport Second Terminal Opening Project and Challenge for Innovation

Tatsuya Izumi, General Manager, Airport Planning Department, Corporate Planning Division, Narita International Airport Corporation

JAL CVC Initiatives (Tentative)

Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., To be confirmed

June 19th: Airline Management (Tentative)

To be confirmed

On Scenario Planning

Shin Ueno, Group Leader, Survey and Analysis Group, Aviation Technology Department, Aviation Systems Research Unit, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

June 26th: Current Status and Challenges in the Engine MRO Industry (Tentative)

To be confirmed

'Zero-Zero-One Hundred': Airline MRO's Challenge for the Future

Yuki Nakajima, General Manager, Corporate Planning and Finance, Maintenance Division, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.

Aircraft MRO (Tentative)

Japan Research Institute, Ltd. ANA, To be confirmed

July 3rd: Aircraft and Engine Leasing (Tentative)

Ryosuke Takeuchi, Section Manager, Business Management and Control, Aviation Business Department, Aviation Business Division, Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc.

Aircraft and Parts Out Business (Tentative)

To be confirmed

July 10th: Trends and Issues in the Secure Use of Drones

Deloitte Tohmatsu Space and Security LLC

Hirotaka Taniguchi, Managing Director

Drone x Logistics (Tentative)

Yasuhiro Ito, Manager, Postal and Logistics Business, Japan Post Co., Ltd.

Drone Logistics Initiatives (Tentative)

Shoto Takaoka, Business Development Representative, Mobility Business Creation Department, Future Creation Office, ANA Holdings Inc.

July 17th: Discussing eVTOL Radio, eVTOL Night!

eVTOL Radio Members (5 people)

July 31st: Dialogue Session with Government and National Research Institutes

1. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), To be confirmed

2. Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Industrial Safety and Security Group, Industrial Safety Planning Office / High Pressure Gas Safety Office, Deputy Director, Masato Mori

3. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Civil Aviation Bureau, Safety Policy Division, Planning and Coordination Officer, Hiroyuki Hosokawa

Final Presentation: 'Future Vision of Japan's Aircraft Industry'

Special Lecture (Scheduled): Honda Aircraft Company, etc.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 (Thursday) 17:00

Application Link: https://forms.gle/2MjGXnM8AM498miN9

Contact: AIDA Secretariat, aidaofficial@aida.or.jp