KDDI Smart Drone becomes Japan’s first certified UTM service provider

KDDI Smart Drone has become the first company in Japan to obtain a Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) Service Provider ID from the Civil Aviation Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

As a certified UTM service provider, the company will be able to link with the Ministry’s Drone Information Platform System (DIPS 2.0). This allows for the provision of services such as flight plan coordination, adjustment between operators, and the visualization of airspace restrictions. These capabilities are intended to support companies and local governments using drones for infrastructure inspection, surveying, disaster prevention, and logistics.

The company plans to begin offering services in December 2026 to improve flight adjustment efficiency and airspace management governance. The development follows research and technical verification conducted through the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) ReAMo project.