A joint proposal for the “eVTOL Implementation Project (Phase I),” led by Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. and including Japanese electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) manufacturer SkyDrive Inc., has been selected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
The consortium includes major industry partners such as ANA Holdings Inc., East Japan Railway Company, Aero Toyota Corporation, Seibu Holdings Inc., and Nikken Sekkei Ltd., with Joby Aviation, Inc. serving as a cooperative partner. The project will utilize eVTOL aircraft from both SkyDrive and Joby Aviation for various use cases across the city. The goal is to strengthen urban functions through the early implementation of eVTOLs in Tokyo and communicate a blueprint for next-generation mobility to the world.
eVTOLs are anticipated to revolutionize the movement of people and goods, enhancing Quality of Life (QOL) by avoiding traffic congestion and enabling rapid material transport, thereby improving the city’s attractiveness and global presence. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “2050 Tokyo Strategy” specifies the establishment of an implementation scheme toward the social integration of eVTOLs in urban areas by 2030.
To address challenges such as enhancing public acceptance, examining technical issues like airspace management, and ensuring consistency with urban planning, the project has established a clear roadmap. The initiative is set to conduct demonstration flights in the coastal and river areas within Fiscal Year 2026, followed by pre-commercial service implementation within Fiscal Year 2027.
The multi-phase effort will include feasibility studies for potential vertiport locations, the subsequent development of these sites, and public engagement through mock-up exhibitions and open house events to enhance social acceptance. The consortium plans to select final vertiport locations from Fiscal Year 2028 onward, aligning with the goal of commercialization in urban areas.
The consortium for Tokyo’s “eVTOL Implementation Project (Phase I)” includes Nomura Real Estate, ANA Holdings, SkyDrive, East Japan Railway, Nikken Sekkei, Aero Toyota, Seibu Holdings, Joby Aviation, and Haneda Future Development. Together, these leading companies bring expertise spanning real estate, aviation, transport, design, and technology to advance the integration of eVTOLs and next-generation urban mobility in Tokyo.
