Terra Drone Appoints Keiichiro Iwasaki, Who Supported Japan's Defense Industry at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, as Advisor

Terra Drone Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Toru Tokushige; hereinafter "Terra Drone") is pleased to announce that it has appointed Keiichiro Iwasaki as an advisor. Mr. Iwasaki has held key positions in the defense and aerospace sectors at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., a core company in Japan's defense industry.

Mr. Iwasaki has been engaged for many years in the field of defense equipment, including torpedoes, missiles, and anti-submarine systems, at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. He has been deeply involved in technology, manufacturing, policy, and the formation of industrial foundations in the defense and aerospace fields.

In particular, as a Survey Officer for the Defense and Space Domain, he has made recommendations to the government, relevant ministries, and industry on the necessity of establishing systems that enable international joint development and overseas expansion by Japanese companies. He has also been deeply involved in discussions on Japan's defense industry policy and the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment."

Currently, the defense sector worldwide is undergoing a global transition to next-generation defense systems that utilize unmanned systems, autonomous navigation, AI, and software. In Japan, key challenges include establishing domestic unmanned systems, strengthening the defense technology base, responding to economic security, and utilizing dual-use technologies.

Terra Drone is advancing its initiatives in the defense and security sectors based on its accumulated expertise in unmanned aerial vehicle technology, Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), and practical operational know-how in inspection and surveying.

With Mr. Iwasaki's participation, Terra Drone will further accelerate the development of domestic defense drones, the advancement of autonomous unmanned systems, the expansion of collaboration with defense-related companies, and its expansion into the global defense market, thereby promoting its growth as a defense technology company originating from Japan.

Background

In recent years, the defense industry has been shifting from a structure centered on traditional large-scale equipment to a decentralized system utilizing unmanned systems, software, AI, and autonomous navigation technologies.

In particular, in the fields of unmanned aerial vehicles and counter-drone technology, development speed, software update capabilities, and improvement cycles through actual operations are becoming decisive factors for competitiveness, and the presence of startups in the defense industry is rapidly increasing.

Meanwhile, Japan's defense industry has developed to date with a focus on large heavy industries, leveraging strengths in high quality and reliability. It is considered important to integrate knowledge related to manufacturing, quality, and safety with civilian-derived unmanned system technologies and software technologies in the future.

Furthermore, in recent years, against the backdrop of a review of the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment" and the promotion of economic security policies, interest has also grown in domestic unmanned systems, defense supply chains, and the utilization of dual-use technologies.

Terra Drone is expanding its operations in the defense and security domains based on its accumulated expertise in unmanned aerial vehicle technology, UTM, and global operational know-how cultivated in the industrial sector.

By welcoming Mr. Iwasaki, who has many years of experience in the defense and aerospace sectors, as an advisor, we will further strengthen our business foundation and industrial collaboration in the defense industry sector.

Expected Role

Mr. Iwasaki has been deeply involved in the formation of Japan's defense industrial base through his long career at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, engaging in technology development, manufacturing, business operations, and policy recommendations in the defense equipment domain.

Furthermore, as a Survey Officer for the Defense and Space Domain, he has been deeply involved in Japan's defense industry policy, including his involvement in establishing systems that enable international joint development and overseas expansion by Japanese companies.

With his appointment as advisor, Terra Drone expects Mr. Iwasaki to contribute to the promotion of business in the following areas within our company:

Development of domestic defense drones

Advancement of autonomous unmanned systems

Strengthening cooperation with the Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces

Expansion of collaboration with defense-related companies

Expansion into overseas defense markets

Construction of next-generation security infrastructure

Currently, in Japan, there are limited examples of integrating knowledge from defense startups and the heavy industry sector. Terra Drone will promote the establishment of a next-generation defense technology foundation originating from Japan by integrating the operational know-how, software technology, and global expansion capabilities accumulated in the industrial drone sector with the knowledge of quality, manufacturing, and long-term operation possessed by Japan's defense industry.

President's Comment

Toru Tokushige, President and CEO, Terra Drone Co., Ltd.

Amidst significant changes in the security environment, establishing a domestic unmanned system industry base has become extremely important in Japan. Mr. Iwasaki is one of the few leaders who has been involved in all aspects of technology, manufacturing, and policy at the forefront of Japan's defense industry. By gaining his knowledge and experience, Terra Drone will further strengthen its initiatives in the defense and security sectors and contribute to enhancing Japan's security and industrial competitiveness.

Keiichiro Iwasaki

Looking at modern warfare globally, unmanned systems already seem to be indispensable strategically. I believe that establishing domestic technology-based unmanned aerial systems and strengthening the defense industry base will be extremely important in Japan going forward. Terra Drone is one of the few unmanned system companies originating from Japan that operates globally, possessing knowledge through actual operations, high technical capabilities, and implementation power. I hope to contribute to the development of Japan's defense and security sectors by leveraging the experience I have cultivated so far.

Keiichiro Iwasaki's Biography

Joined Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Deputy General Manager, Special Machinery Department

Deputy General Manager, Guided Equipment Department, Aerospace Systems Division

General Manager, Aerospace Systems Division

Executive Officer, Deputy General Manager, Aerospace Systems Division

Executive Officer, Survey Officer, Defense and Space Domain

Executive Officer, General Representative, China

President and Representative Director, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machine Tool Co., Ltd.

Future Outlook

Terra Drone will promote the establishment of a defense technology industry base originating from Japan by integrating knowledge and networks cultivated in the defense industry sector with technological areas such as unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous navigation, and UTM.

Furthermore, we will strengthen collaboration with heavy industries, defense-related companies, startups, and government agencies, and work to form a new industrial ecosystem that transcends traditional defense industries and next-generation software and unmanned system technologies.

Terra Drone will continue to contribute to strengthening Japan's industrial competitiveness and developing its domestic technology base, while expanding its business as a defense technology company originating from Japan.

Inquiries regarding this business

Business Site: https://terra-defense.com/

Contact Form: https://terra-defense.com/ja/contact-ja/

Terra Drone Co., Ltd. Defense Business Unit, UAV Division, Contact: Morita

Email: defense@terra-drone.co.jp

TEL: 080-4329-7881

Terra Drone Co., Ltd.

Terra Drone operates under the mission "Unlock 'X' Dimensions (Create a prosperous future by fusing different dimensions)" and provides drone development and solutions. We are also focusing on the development and provision of operational management systems (UTM) to support safe and efficient drone operations, as well as the development of operational management systems for flying cars targeting overseas markets, contributing to a wide range of industries.

Terra Drone boasts over 3,000 cumulative achievements in the fields of surveying, inspection, agriculture, and operational management. Furthermore, the UTM provided through our group has been implemented in 10 countries worldwide. Through these achievements, we have been ranked in the top 2 for industrial drone service companies for consecutive years since 2019 in the "World's Top Drone Service Providers" announced by Drone Industry Insights, and achieved the world's number 1 ranking in 2024. Additionally, we received the "Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award" at the "Japan Startup Awards 2025" hosted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, in recognition of our efforts to address social issues in the land, infrastructure, and transport sector.

Terra Drone aims to solve social issues as a "global platformer for the low-altitude economy" with a view to the widespread adoption of drones and flying cars.

For more information, visit http://www.terra-drone.net