JUIDA

What JUIDA does

JUIDA (Japan UAS Industrial Development Association / 一般社団法人日本UAS産業振興協議会) is a non-profit general incorporated association founded on July 31, 2014, headquartered in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo. It functions as the central industry body for Japan's unmanned aircraft systems (UAS/drone) sector, operating four interlocking business lines: (1) a private certification system, anchored by the JUIDA Unmanned Aircraft Pilot Skill Certification and Safety Operations Manager Certification introduced in 2015, which has cumulatively issued 33,853 pilot certificates and 28,318 safety manager certificates through a network of 122 certified schools plus one in Indonesia; (2) specialist training courses for high-demand verticals including plant inspection (delivered at Fukushima Robot Test Field), building exterior inspection (co-developed with JADA under the revised Building Standards Act), forest surveying, and apartment building inspection (co-developed with Tokyu Community and Hummingbird); (3) the Japan Drone exhibition, now in its 11th edition and Asia's largest drone industry event, which drew 20,070 visitors and 331 exhibitors in June 2026; and (4) a disaster response coordination apparatus, JUIDA-D³, formalized in December 2024 with 50+ member companies operating under cooperation agreements with all major Ground Self-Defense Force regional commands and multiple prefectural/municipal governments.

JUIDA generates revenue through five streams: recurring membership dues (individual ¥5,000–¥10,000/year; corporate ¥50,000–¥120,000/year; free for public institutions); one-time certification issuance fees of ¥11,000–¥38,500 with 2–3 year renewal cycles; event revenue from Japan Drone exhibitor and sponsorship fees; training school affiliation, textbook (e.g., ¥38,500/set for building inspection texts), and badge sales (¥2,200/badge); and ancillary services including six test flight fields, group insurance, SORAPASS flight information management, and the TJAM Technical Journal. With 22,885 members as of May 2026, the association serves a horizontal customer base spanning drone operators, training schools, government agencies, defense forces, property managers, industrial infrastructure operators, and forestry stakeholders.

JUIDA holds unique regulatory standing as the sole designated audit body for MLIT-registered drone training organizations in Japan and contributed to ISO 23665, the first international drone pilot training standard proposed by Japan and adopted by ISO. Leadership includes Representative Director Shinji Suzuki (former University of Tokyo professor and ICAS President), Managing Director Kakuya Iwata (AIST senior researcher and ISO TC20/SC16 participant), and Director Daisuke Kubo (JAXA Chief R&D Officer), reflecting deep ties to academia, government research, and international standards bodies.

Name

JUIDA

Legal name

JAPAN UAS INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION

Website

https://uas-japan.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

JUIDA is Japan's primary UAS industry association, providing drone pilot certification through 122 certified schools, specialist training programs, the Japan Drone exhibition, and disaster response coordination across 22,885+ members and government partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

UAS Industry Association & Drone Certification Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Pilot Training, Certification & Medical/Fitness Services (TLAHAGAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies (EDADAFAA)

Keywords

• Drone pilot certification
• UAS training programs
• Drone inspection courses
• Aviation safety standards
• Drone industry events

Headquarters

HQ city

Nishiki

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: JUIDA collects annual membership fees from individual and corporate members. Individual members (正会員: ¥10,000/year; 準会員: ¥5,000/year); Corporate members (正会員: ¥120,000/year; 賛助会員: ¥50,000/year; 公共会員: free for public institutions). This forms the core recurring revenue base supporting the association's operations.
2. Certification and License Fees: JUIDA charges issuance and renewal fees for pilot skill certificates, safety operations manager certificates, and specialist certificates. Certificate issuance fees range from ¥11,000 to ¥38,500 per certificate. Certificates are valid 2–3 years with renewal fees.
3. Event Revenue (Japan Drone): JUIDA organizes and benefits from Japan Drone, Japan's largest drone industry exhibition, and the Next-Generation Air Mobility EXPO. Events attract 20,000+ visitors and 300+ exhibitors, generating revenue through exhibitor fees and sponsorships.
4. Training School Affiliation and Materials: Revenue from certified schools through affiliation fees, textbook sales (e.g., building inspection course texts at ¥38,500/set), and badge sales to members (¥2,200/badge).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

JUIDA is a Japanese industry association that develops and operates drone pilot certification programs, specialist training curricula, and industry standards for the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) sector. Through a network of 122 certified drone schools, JUIDA issues pilot skill certificates, safety operations manager certificates, and domain-specific specialist certifications (plant, building, forest, apartment inspection, disaster response), and hosts the annual Japan Drone exhibition — Japan's largest drone industry trade event.

Product overview

JUIDA (Japan UAS Industrial Development Association) is a certification and training organization for Japan's drone industry, offering a platform of credential programs and member services. The core offerings include the foundational JUIDA Unmanned Aircraft Pilot Skill Certification and Safety Operations Manager Certification, launched in 2015 as Japan's first drone certification system, with over 33,000 cumulative pilot certifications issued. Building on this foundation, JUIDA provides specialized training through its network of 122 certified schools across Japan and 1 in Indonesia, including specialized courses for plant inspection, building inspection, forestry survey, apartment inspection, and disaster response. Additional services include test flight facilities, flight logging tools, group insurance, the JUIDA Technical Journal with poster sessions, and the annual Japan Drone exhibition—Japan's largest drone industry event with 20,000+ visitors. JUIDA also supports national licensing and operates the JUIDA-D³ civilian disaster response organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• JUIDA-D3: Drone Disaster Dispatch - JUIDA's civil drone disaster response organization established under the JUIDA Disaster Response Committee in December 2024 (Reiwa 6).
• Japan Drone
• JUIDA Technical Journal
• JUIDA試験飛行場 (JUIDA Test Air Fields)

Products and services

• JUIDA Unmanned Aircraft Pilot Skill Certification (JUIDA操縦技能証明証)
• JUIDA Safety Operations Manager Certification (JUIDA安全運航管理者証明証)
• JUIDA Plant Inspection Specialist Training Course (JUIDAプラント点検スペシャリスト養成コース)
• Drone Building Inspection Safe Flight Skills Course (ドローン建築物調査安全飛行技能者コース)
• Forest Survey Specialist Training Course (森林測量スペシャリスト養成コース)
• Drone Inspection Specialist Apartment Course (ドローン点検スペシャリスト育成コース)
• Drone Disaster Prevention Specialist Education (ドローン防災スペシャリスト教育)
• JUIDA Certified Schools Program (JUIDA認定スクール)
• JUIDA Test Flight Fields (JUIDA試験飛行場)
• Japan Drone / Next-Generation Air Mobility EXPO
• JUIDA-D³ (Drone Civilian Disaster Response Organization)
• JUIDA Technical Journal (TJAM)

Quantifiable outcome

• 33,853+ drone pilots certified by JUIDA since inception (as of latest available data)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Ground Self-Defense Force Western Army (陸上自衛隊西部方面隊)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 May 2026JUIDA signed a disaster response cooperation agreement with the GSDF Western Army on May 20, 2026, covering disaster response support using drones. This completes JUIDA's nationwide network of disaster response agreements with all major GSDF regional commands.
• All Japan Aviation Business Union (全日本航空事業連合会)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026JUIDA and the All Japan Aviation Business Union signed a cooperation agreement on April 1, 2026, aimed at creating a low-altitude airspace where both manned and unmanned aircraft can operate safely and efficiently. The partnership addresses collision risk reduction and efficient operations through joint information dissemination and solution development.
• Bunkyo City, Tokyo (文、京区)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2026JUIDA, Bunkyo City, and Blue Innovation signed a three-party disaster response agreement on January 26, 2026. This is the first such agreement between JUIDA and a Tokyo 23区 municipality. The agreement covers drone-based damage assessment, information gathering, logistics, and helicopter-drone air traffic coordination within Bunkyo City.
• Kansai Wide Area Union (関西広域連合)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025JUIDA signed a disaster response cooperation agreement with the Kansai Wide Area Union (covering Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Tottori, Tokushima prefectures and 4 ordinance-designated cities) on October 1, 2025. JUIDA will provide drone-based survey, information gathering, logistics, pilot dispatch, and air traffic coordination support during disasters.
• NEDO ReAMo Project (新エネルギー・産業技術総合開発機構 ReAMoプロジェクト)flagshipTechnology or Integration · 1 August 2025JUIDA participated in NEDO's ReAMo (Revolution of Air Mobility) project for air traffic management. JUIDA provided pre-flight safety management and coordination for the Expo 2025 drone and flying car demonstration using the ReAMo UTM system developed under the project.
• Ground Self-Defense Force Central Army (陸上自衛隊中部方面隊)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2025JUIDA signed a disaster response cooperation agreement with the GSDF Central Army on June 24, 2025. This expands coverage to include the 13th Brigade (Chugoku region) and 14th Brigade (Shikoku region), complementing existing agreements with the 3rd and 10th Divisions. JUIDA will actively cooperate in GSDF's large-scale disaster response exercises such as Nankai Rescue Training.
• Ground Self-Defense Force Eastern Army (陸上自衛隊東部方面隊)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2025JUIDA signed an amended disaster response cooperation agreement with the GSDF Eastern Army on June 3, 2025, updating terms of the existing agreement.
• Tokyu Community Co., Ltd. (東急コミュニティー)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Tokyu Community, one of Japan's largest property management companies, co-developed the 'Drone Inspection Specialist — Apartment Course' qualification with JUIDA and Hummingbird. The course trains drone pilots specifically for apartment building inspection, creating immediate job placement pathways.
• Hummingbird Inc. (株式会社ハミングバード)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 June 2025Japan's largest drone school operator (by annual enrollment) partners with JUIDA and Tokyu Community to deliver the Drone Inspection Specialist — Apartment Course training. Hummingbird provides the training facilities and instruction, while JUIDA and Tokyu Community co-author the curriculum.
• Hokkaido Prefecture (北海道)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025JUIDA signed a disaster response cooperation agreement with Hokkaido Prefecture in May 2025 for drone-based support activities during disasters.
• Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025 (大阪・関西万博) / TEAM EXPO 2025flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025JUIDA registered its 'Aerial Industry Revolution: Social Problem Solving with Next-Generation Mobility (Drones and Flying Cars)' project with the Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025's TEAM EXPO 2025 co-creation program. JUIDA also provided operational management for all drone flights at the Expo site and conducted a world-first demonstration of drone and flying car air traffic coordination.
• Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER, 中華経済研究院)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024CIER, Taiwan's leading economic policy research institution, visited JUIDA in April 2026 to promote Japan-Taiwan drone industry collaboration and technical exchange. The visit strengthens cross-strait drone industry ties and knowledge sharing.
• Japan Association for Building Drone (JADA, 日本建築ドローン協会)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2023JUIDA and JADA jointly developed the 'Building Inspection Drone Safety Flight Skills Course' launched in January 2023, enabling drone-based building exterior inspections compliant with Japan's revised Building Standards Act. Both organizations jointly certify graduates.
• Blue Innovation Co., Ltd. (ブルーイノベーション株式会社)flagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 March 2023Blue Innovation (co-founded by JUIDA Secretary-General Kumada) is a core member of JUIDA's ecosystem, delivering plant inspection, forest survey, and Expo 2025 drone operations. Blue Innovation provided drone operations during Noto Earthquake, Noto Flood, and Ueno Hara forest fire. It is the primary operations partner for JUIDA's technical training courses.
• International UAS Organizations (20 countries, 29 organizations)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023JUIDA has established MOUs with approximately 20 countries and 29 international UAS industry organizations as of March 2023. These partnerships support international standardization, cross-border knowledge exchange, and market access facilitation for member companies. JUIDA is ISO TC20/SC16 (Unmanned Aircraft) active participant.
• Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework / Fukushima Robot Test Field (福島ロボットテストフィールド)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 March 2020JUIDA partnered with the Fukushima Robot Test Field and the Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework to deliver the JUIDA Plant Inspection Specialist course. The test field provides specialized indoor and outdoor flight training facilities for plant inspection training.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of FinlandflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020JUIDA signed a comprehensive cooperation MOU with VTT in 2020. VTT is Finland's national research institution and a key partner in Finland's quantum and UAV technology strategy. Collaboration focuses on joint research, knowledge sharing, and international standardization in drone safety and civil applications. JUIDA and VTT have co-organized seminars including the Finland-Japan Critical Technology Seminar (2026).

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AUVSI (Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International): The longest-established international UAS industry association (founded 1972), covering drone policy, standards, and operator certification across military, commercial, and civil UAS. The most direct global functional parallel to JUIDA's mission, though US-headquartered and across the Pacific.
• InterDrone: Long-running US commercial drone conference/expo covering training, regulation, and industry networking. Comparable annual gathering model to Japan Drone with similar content (regulation tracks, training certification, exhibitor matchmaking).
• Vertical Flight Society (VFS): International technical society for vertical flight including eVTOL / UAM, with parallel 'Electric VTOL News' directory and standards committees. Direct peer for JUIDA's 2021 AMS scope expansion (covering flying cars), and convenes a comparable technical and standards community.
• Commercial UAV Expo (Diversified Communications): North America's largest commercial drone trade show, organized by Diversified Communications. Head-to-head event-platform competitor to Japan Drone and the Next-Generation Air Mobility EXPO in scale and B2B matchmaking role.
• Commercial Drone Alliance: US-based non-profit (founded 2020) that advocates for commercial drone operators and manufacturers in federal policy and standards. Closely analogous to JUIDA's advocacy + industry-coordination role, though narrower in scope (no training / certification business).
• Global UTM Association (GUTMA): International non-profit association of UTM (UAS Traffic Management) stakeholders building cross-border standards for drone airspace integration. Direct peer to JUIDA's ISO TC20/SC16 work and its NEDO ReAMo / Expo 2025 drone-flying-car coordination demonstration.

Regional players

• UAV Industry Alliance of China (UAVIA): Mainland China's largest national-level drone/UAS industry association, focused on commercial and industrial UAV ecosystem coordination in the world's largest drone manufacturing market. Closest China-side regional peer to JUIDA; both engage in international MOUs but do not currently compete geographically.

Emerging players

• Drone Industry Insights (DRONEII): Hamburg-based commercial drone market intelligence firm publishing the Drone Industry Survey, deal trackers, and reports used by enterprise drone buyers and vendors. Adjacent to JUIDA's Technical Journal (TJAM) and Japan Drone research tracks; an emerging commercial-intelligence peer rather than a parallel association.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100063506172989
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/juida-japan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about JUIDA