Japan is racing to commercialize flying cars—electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles—by the late 2020s, with prototype tests, government grants, and urban air mobility initiatives already underway.
At a Glance
- NEC and Cartivator successfully hovered a prototype “flying car” more than 10 feet off the ground in 2019
- Tokyo hosted a demonstration at Tech Expo 2024, with single-seat vehicles flying about 10 meters overhead
- The Japanese government granted $82 million to SkyDrive, targeting mass production by 2024
- Osaka plans to launch passenger flying taxis by 2028 in preparation for the World Expo
- Safety checks have paused some demos, underscoring regulatory and technical challenges
Prototype Tests Signal Real Progress
In 2019, NEC and startup Cartivator unveiled a tethered flying-car prototype that hovered for a full minute in suburban Tokyo—designed as a people-carrying electric drone, according to Bloomberg. SkyDrive later showcased its SD‑03 single-seat eVTOL in 2020, followed by its SD‑05 model in 2022, which is now undergoing certification.
Urban Demonstrations and Expo Plans
By 2024, Tokyo’s SusHi Tech Expo featured a single-seat flying vehicle hovering about 10 meters above ground, according to CNN. SkyDrive has secured $82 million in government funding to manufacture eVTOLs at a Suzuki factory and plans commercial rollout in Osaka by 2028, coinciding with the city’s World Expo, reports Nikkei Asia.
Watch a report: Japan’s Flying Cars Could Change Cities Forever.
Safety and Regulation Under Scrutiny
At a 2025 Expo test in Osaka, a propeller part detached from a Hexa eVTOL, forcing an immediate halt to public demonstrations, as reported by BBC. Such incidents highlight the regulatory hurdles Japan faces as it builds vertiports, refines autonomous flight protocols, and ensures public confidence in eVTOL safety.
Why This Matters
Japan’s push into urban air mobility reflects both industrial ambition and public-transport strategy: relieving congestion, enhancing inter-island access, and supporting disaster response. With strong government backing and Expo deadlines driving innovation, Japan could become a global leader—if it can overcome the technical and regulatory challenges still ahead.
