Drone Delivery Grants in Japan: Ministry Backs Five Projects to Advance Logistics Innovation

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has awarded grants totaling approximately ¥98 million ($670,000) to five leading drone logistics initiatives, aiming to revolutionize last-mile delivery and support regions with critical personnel shortages.

Technical Features and Project Goals

Each of the five recipients is spearheading a unique approach to drone integration in logistics:

• ANA Holdings Inc. is conducting demonstration flights in Okinawa Prefecture to deliver blood products and pharmaceuticals, while also preparing drones for deployment in disaster scenarios.
• Nishikyudai Transportation and Warehouse Co., Ltd. is establishing a “hub-and-spoke” center in Ukiha City, Fukuoka Prefecture, leveraging both drones and electric vehicles. The company aims to stabilize infrastructure and create a sustainable delivery ecosystem in depopulated, mountainous areas, supporting local shopping and essential supply chains.
• Nakatsu Express Co., Ltd. in Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture, is pioneering a system that combines drone logistics with joint delivery—loading cargo from multiple shippers for consolidated dispatch to a single destination. A new operational management system is designed to boost drone efficiency and scalability.
• Ryomo Maruzen Co., Ltd. is building a dedicated drone depot in Sano City, Tochigi Prefecture. This initiative includes designing flight routes covering Sano City and Ashikaga City, developing an in-house drone delivery management system, and coordinating seamlessly between ground vehicles and aerial shipments.
• HMK Nexus Co., Ltd. will identify delivery requirements in Chino City, Nagano Prefecture, construct a commercial-grade drone depot, and develop safe, reliable drone delivery routes through targeted use case demonstrations.

Regulatory Push and Safety Prioritization

The Ministry’s selection process—launched earlier this year—targets remote islands and rugged regions where logistics personnel shortages threaten supply chain stability. By encouraging proposals that integrate drones with ground transport (such as trucks), officials hope to strengthen collaboration between private operators, local governments, and national stakeholders.

Ensuring the safety of drone operations remains central. HMK Nexus’s planned demonstrations will focus explicitly on developing routes and protocols that prioritize operational safety for commercial drone logistics.

Operational Use Cases and Industry Impact

The funded projects emphasize practical integration of drones for medical supply delivery, shopping support, disaster relief, and joint shipping—addressing distinct community needs from urban centers to remote villages. Last-mile delivery efficiency stands to improve dramatically by bridging traditional ground transport with aerial solutions, opening new pathways for logistics innovation.

Coordination between drone depots and ground vehicles, as seen in Ryomo Maruzen’s project, foreshadows operational standards that could shape Japan’s future logistics landscape. These efforts signal a broader trend toward sustainability, reliability, and community-focused distribution.

DroneXL’s Take

Japan’s investment in drone delivery is both strategic and timely, directly addressing rural infrastructure gaps and pioneering innovative logistics models. Critical questions remain: Will successful demonstration flights lead to rapid commercial deployment? How will local governments and national regulators balance innovation with public safety and privacy concerns as drone deliveries scale? Drone operators, industry stakeholders, and pilots are invited to share their perspectives: What challenges do you foresee in integrating drones with traditional logistics, and what steps should Japan take to foster accountable, scalable growth in the sector? Share your analysis and insights in the comments below.