(Joint press release)
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
Sumitomo Corporation
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director and Group CEO: Mitoko Tottori, hereinafter referred to as JAL) and Sumitomo Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director, President and CEO: Shingo Ueno, hereinafter referred to as Sumitomo Corporation) jointly invested in and established Soracle Co., Ltd. on June 3, 2024. Soracle will operate electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL), also known as flying cars, in Japan.
JAL aims to implement and develop air mobility in Japan by utilizing the technology, know-how, and operational expertise that the airline transportation business has cultivated to create relationships and connections through the movement of people and goods.
While aiming to diversify its long-standing aviation business, Sumitomo Corporation has been working to commercialize air mobility since 2018. They have been exploring the Japanese market, such as investing in a company that developed an unmanned aircraft control system which is essential for the implementation of air mobility in 2020.
JAL and Sumitomo Corporation have signed a business alliance related to air mobility in 2020 (※2) and have been working toward the realization of transportation services using eVTOL. They have also participated in the 'Air Mobility Revolution Society Implementation Osaka Round Table (※3)', which positions the Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 as a milestone for social implementation, and are preparing for the development of the next-generation air mobility business (※4).
Taking advantage of JAL's operational expertise in safe airline transportation and Sumitomo Corporation's networks and diversified business activities in the aviation industry, Soracle Co., Ltd. was established, and the cooperation relationship will be strengthened. Through the eVTOL operation business, they will accelerate the promotion of air mobility business.
Both companies aim to realize the social implementation of safe and secure flying cars, build a transportation network that connects regions, and create new air travel values.
Company Overview
Company Name: Soracle Co., Ltd.
Business description: Aviation transportation business using eVTOL
Establishment date: June 3, 2024
Capital: 200 million yen (Sumitomo Corporation: 50%, JAL: 50%)
Representative Director: Yukihiko Ota (Sumitomo Corporation)
Director: Toshihiro Sasaki (JAL)
Location: Chuo-ku, Tokyo
※1) eVTOL is the next-generation air mobility with significantly less greenhouse gas emissions during operation compared to existing civilian aircraft due to its electric power. It is characterized by the fact that it does not require a runway and has a smaller noise level during takeoff and landing, which is environmentally friendly. Additionally, eVTOL's societal implementation is expected to contribute to the creation of new air travel values as it has fewer parts that require maintenance and autonomous flight (a method of automatically flying the aircraft along a pre-set flight route) will be possible in the future.
※2) JAL and Sumitomo Corporation business alliance on air mobility
https://press.jal.co.jp/ja/release/202002/005486.html
※3) Osaka round table for realizing the social implementation of air mobility
https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/energy/evtol/index.html
*4)
-JAL has been selected as the operator of the flying car operation for the Future Society Showcase project at the 2025 Japan World Exposition.
https://press.jal.co.jp/ja/release/202302/007232.html
-Sumitomo Corporation and JAL received a subsidy for creating a business in the city using flying cars in Osaka Prefecture in the Reiwa 4th fiscal year. The project is called "Flying Car Operation Simulation Using Unmanned Aircraft Control Systems".
https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/documents/6927/320sumisyo20keisai.pdf
-Sumitomo Corporation received a subsidy for creating a business in the city using flying cars in Osaka Prefecture in the Reiwa 5th fiscal year. The project includes a test flight and visitation program for flying cars.
https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/documents/62876/sumitomosyouji.pdf
https://www.pref.osaka.lg.jp/documents/62876/sumitomosyouji.pdf
Above.