Beyond the EXPO: Building the Advanced Air Mobility Industry in Kansai -Advancing the Commercial Deployment of Advanced Air Mobility from Osaka and Kansai-
- Date
- 2026.10.07
- Time
- 11:15 - 12:00
- Location
- Knowledge Capital Congrès Convention Center
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), including electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), is emerging as a new industry with the potential to transform not only aviation and mobility, but also urban transportation, tourism, logistics, and regional connectivity.
Building on the momentum generated by Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan’s AAM sector is entering a new phase, moving beyond demonstration projects toward commercial deployment. Achieving large-scale implementation, however, will require far more than aircraft development alone. It will depend on the creation of a comprehensive ecosystem involving a wide range of stakeholders across safety and certification, operational infrastructure, energy, digital platforms, public acceptance, and financing.
This session will bring together startups driving the deployment of AAM, companies responsible for infrastructure development and operations, and financial institutions to discuss the current state of commercialization, key challenges, and emerging opportunities in Japan and around the world.
A particular focus will be placed on how Osaka and the Kansai region can leverage the legacy of Expo 2025 to take a leading role in the real-world deployment of AAM, expand commercial operations, and foster a globally competitive industry cluster. The discussion will explore concrete pathways for attracting businesses, investment, technologies, and talent, with the ambition of establishing Osaka and Kansai as a leading hub for the Advanced Air Mobility industry in Japan.
Yoshinao Nozawa
ORIX Corporation
Senior Manager
Domestic Business Promotion Department
Mobility Innovation Team
Taiji Ono
SkyDrive Inc.
Executive Vice President, Head of Global Business
Yukihiro Ota
Soracle Corporation
Yuji Takahashi
Partner, Executive Officer,
White Spark Inc.
Yoshinao Nozawa
ORIX Corporation
Senior Manager
Domestic Business Promotion Department
Mobility Innovation Team
- Biography
After working in public sector sales, has been engaged in public-private partnerships and business development initiatives focused on solving regional challenges.
Since around 2018, has been involved in the commercialization of advanced air mobility (flying cars), leading demonstration projects and studies for real-world deployment in collaboration with local governments and air mobility operators.
Contributed to the development and operation of the EXPO Vertiport for Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan.
Currently leads business development initiatives and studies related to vertiport development and operations, with a focus on enabling the social implementation of next-generation air mobility across the Kansai region.
Taiji Ono
SkyDrive Inc.
Executive Vice President, Head of Global Business
- Biography
Joined Toyota Motor Corporation in 2005 after graduating from university. Throughout his tenure, he held roles in sales and sales planning, where he managed product planning, sales promotions, and supply-demand policies, as well as led planning for new vehicle models and mobility services. In 2014, he transitioned to a full-time role within the labor union, serving as vice president, where he led organizational policy formulation centered on digitalization and carbon neutrality. He subsequently joined the Executive Support & Government Affairs team, playing a pivotal role in negotiations with government agencies including the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and industry associations, while contributing to company-wide battery electric vehicle (BEV) strategy. Following a nearly 17-year career at Toyota Motor Corporation, he joined a data platform company in 2022. As Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and General Manager of Business Development, he oversaw all business operations, including sales, business development, global expansion, and government relations.
Yukihiro Ota
Soracle Corporation
- Biography
April, 2008 Initial Career at ANA for 14 years
✓Flight Dispatcher, Ground Handling Contract
✓Network Planning, JV Network with UA/LH/SQ
February, 2022 Manager at Sumitomo Corporation
✓Commercial Aviation Business Development
✓UTM/UATM solutions with OneSky
June, 2024 CEO at Soracle
✓Chief Executive Officer at newly established Soracle (JV of JAL/Sumitomo)
✓Official EXPO eVTOL business provider
Yuji Takahashi
Partner, Executive Officer,
White Spark Inc.
- Biography
After working at Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting (now Deloitte Tohmatsu LLC), joined White Spark Inc.
During approximately 11 years at Deloitte Tohmatsu, worked as a management consultant for the aerospace and defense sectors, leading a wide range of projects spanning strategy development, operational transformation, implementation support, and government-commissioned research initiatives.
Around 2017, launched a cross-functional team focused on the next-generation air mobility sector, including flying cars and drones. Supported companies across aviation, mobility, infrastructure, and related industries in developing business concepts, formulating growth strategies, and launching new ventures. Also provided end-to-end support for both public and private sector stakeholders, including the development of regional visions and roadmaps for the deployment of advanced air mobility solutions.
In addition, served concurrently as a part-time advisor to local governments, supporting industrialization strategy initiatives. Brings extensive experience in both policymaking and industry development within the next-generation air mobility sector.