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KDDI Corporation
KDDI Smart Drone Corporation
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
East Japan Railway Company
Weather News, Inc.
Mediceo Corporation

KDDI Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda, Tokyo, President and CEO: Makoto Takahashi, hereinafter KDDI), KDDI Smart Drone Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda, Tokyo, President: Masafumi Hironobu, hereinafter KDDI Smart Drone), Japan Airlines Corporation (Headquarters: Shinagawa, Tokyo, President and Group CEO: Mitsuko Tottori, hereinafter JAL), East Japan Railway Company (Headquarters: Shibuya, Tokyo, President: Youichi Yoshino, hereinafter JR East), Weather News, Inc. (Headquarters: Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, President: Tomohiro Ishibashi, hereinafter Weather News), and Mediceo Corporation (Headquarters: Chuo, Tokyo, President: Kunihiro Imagawa, hereinafter Mediceo), a total of six companies (hereinafter referred to as the six companies) conducted a demonstration (hereinafter referred to as this demonstration) from October 21 to November 7, 2024, in Hinode Village, Nishitama District, Tokyo, for the social implementation of a business that delivers pharmaceuticals via drone.

This demonstration is based on Tokyo's "Demonstration Project for Promoting the Social Implementation of Drone Logistics Services" (Note 1) and aims for the early social implementation of drone logistics services in urban areas. The demonstration project started in November 2021 and has been formulating and verifying the business flow of a pharmaceutical delivery business model utilizing drones over a three-year plan.

In this final year of the demonstration, aimed at service implementation in densely populated urban areas, a management system for rare pharmaceuticals to be delivered during service implementation was established in Hinohara Village. Additionally, CRM (Crew Resource Management) training conducted by JAL for those involved in flight operations, including pilots, was introduced into drone operations to ensure a higher safety operation system.

Through this demonstration, the verification of drone delivery of rare pharmaceuticals, ensuring high safety, has been completed, increasing the feasibility of a pharmaceutical delivery business model using drones in urban areas. In the future, six companies aim to pursue the social implementation of the drone pharmaceutical delivery business model, considering equipment compliant with legal regulations based on the verification results obtained from this demonstration.

(Note 1) A project related to the construction of business models for logistics services utilizing drones.
(Note 2) The concept of effectively and efficiently utilizing all available resources for safe operations, enhancing the team's execution capability by harnessing the strengths of team members.

■ About this demonstration

1. Overview
A flying route connecting the Hinode Clinic (2717 Mito, Hinode Village, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo) and the Special Nursing Home Hinode Sana Home (4-3791, Hinode Village, Nishitama-gun, Tokyo) was verified through the operation of logistics drones that autonomously deliver ampoules used for the storage of rare pharmaceuticals, including flights over third-party areas.

2. Details
The drone operation conducted Level 3.5 flights and Level 4 flights. During Level 3.5 flights, to efficiently deliver a large number of pharmaceuticals in a short time, the efficiency of a 1:2 operation was verified, where two drones were operated simultaneously by one pilot. For Level 4 flights, with an eye on service verification in urban areas, CRM training was introduced for those involved in operations, including pilots, to ensure a higher level of safety during the operation verification. Each operation was conducted remotely from an operation control room established within the kddi corporation Smart Drone office in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

3. Cooperation
Hibara Village, Hibara Clinic, Hibara Sana Home, Hibara Forest Toy Museum, FUREAI GLAMPING & BBQ, Hibara Village Lumber Industry Cooperative

4. Roles of each company

■ Regarding the verification of the business model

(Reference)
■ Efforts Toward the Societal Implementation of Drone Logistics

<2021 Fiscal Year>
For the first time in the city, food delivery and pharmaceutical distribution via drone were implemented in populated areas, verifying operational and business viability closer to real life.
・ Press release on November 11, 2021
For the first time in the city, a proof-of-concept experiment for food delivery by drone was conducted at waters Takeshiba on November 20.
・ Press release on February 1, 2022
For the first time in the city, a pharmaceutical distribution experiment across multiple large bridges, including Eitai Bridge, was conducted using drones.

For one month, remote autonomous flight of drones was conducted for transporting medical supplies, verifying safety, and efforts were made to raise awareness and understanding among local residents, including holding a drone class at an elementary school.
・Press release on July 28, 2022 (Tokyo)
A project aiming for the social implementation of drone logistics services in the metropolitan area has been selected.
・Press release on January 18, 2023
Demonstrated long-term operation of drones looking toward Level 4 flight in the metropolitan area.

For the first time in japan, a demonstration was conducted to transport pharmaceuticals using drones in Level 4 flight. Additionally, safety and labor-saving in flight operations through the introduction of drone ports were verified.
・ Press release on December 18, 2023.
Japan's first demonstration of transporting pharmaceuticals via level 4 drone flight.
・ Press release on February 27, 2024.
A demonstration of managing the receipt of pharmaceuticals using drone ports will be conducted.

■ About kddi corporation smart drone.
KDDI Smart Drone is building a service that enables safe remote and long-distance flights by controlling drones using aerial mobile communications. It is working to provide agile services tailored to customer needs in various fields such as realizing new business with drones, inspection, logistics, monitoring, agriculture, and surveying.
Additionally, "KDDI Smart Drone Academy," a drone school, operates unmanned aircraft pilot qualification courses corresponding to national qualifications at more than 10 locations nationwide and specialized courses focused on solutions.
Please refer to the company overview.

About Japan Airlines Corporation's air mobility business.
JAL aims to realize a society where next-generation air mobility is utilized in various regions of Japan, leveraging the knowledge and technology cultivated in the airline transport business. By aiming for a society where diverse air mobility frequently flies, JAL is advancing the construction of a platform that supports safe and smooth operations so that more operators can utilize air mobility with confidence.
Additionally, as a human resource development program responsible for the safe operation of drones, JAL operates the JAL Air Mobility Operation Academy (JAMOA) based on "know-how for safe operation of manned aircraft." JAMOA provides a systematic classroom curriculum based on CRM and has many drone operators participating.
Please see the JAMOA website.

About JR East Japan's 'TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY.'
JR East Japan is promoting the urban development of 'TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY.' By inheriting the historical background of serving as the gateway to Edo and the memories of innovation in the area where Japan's first railroad ran, the development concept is 'Global Gateway,' aiming for a city where new business and culture continue to emerge as an experimental field for a rich life 100 years into the future.
THE LINKPILLAR 1 and the surrounding area of Takanawa Gateway Station will open on March 27, 2025, while other buildings (THE LINKPILLAR 2, MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives, TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY RESIDENCE) and the surrounding areas will open in spring 2026.
Efforts will continue to promote projects for urban development around Shinagawa Station (Shinagawa Station North Entrance Station improvement and Shinagawa Station block) and for value enhancement in integration with the region. (TAKANAWA GATEWAY CITY official hp:)

■ About Weathernews Inc.
Weathernews was founded from the passionate desire of its founder, who experienced a maritime accident in 1970 and wanted to "protect the lives of sailors." Since then, we have aimed to convey meteorological information as actionable insights to the people who truly need it. Starting from the sea, the market for weather services has expanded into air and land, with the slogan "We want to be of help when it matters most," currently providing risk communications services 24/7 to customers in approximately 50 countries worldwide. Weather information is essential for the safe operation of drones. For 39 years, the Weathernews Aviation Meteorology Division has leveraged its know-how in providing weather and dynamics information support for manned aircraft, such as airliners and helicopters, to assist in safe operations.
Please refer to the company overview.

■ About Mediceo Corporation
Mediceo is a member of the Medipal Group, which operates in the fields of "medical care, health, and beauty," supporting the healthy lives of the public.
In japan, where the population is aging with a declining birthrate, the demand for a healthy life among the public is continually increasing.
In this environment, we play a role as a social infrastructure company that reliably supports the distribution of "medical care, health, and beauty," accurately and efficiently connecting the thoughts of those who create products with those who eagerly await the necessary products.
Furthermore, in order to optimize the entire supply chain, we pursue and realize logistics that are free of waste, highly satisfying for customers, and resilient in emergencies, while also engaging in various innovations, such as developing and nurturing new businesses with high social value.
In every era, as a wholesaler providing safe and stable valuable distribution that meets the expectations of society and customers, we will continue to advance our evolution in accordance with our management philosophy of "contributing to the health of people and the development of society through the creation of distribution value."
Please refer to the company overview.

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