Wingcopter, a German drone delivery provider, with support from ITOCHU Corporation, a Japanese trading company, has initiated the type certification process for its Wingcopter 198 delivery drone in Japan, marking a first for both a foreign company and a fixed-wing drone under Japan's unmanned aircraft certification standards.

Once certified, Wingcopter will be allowed to conduct drone flights beyond the line of sight in populated areas, paving the way for commercial drone delivery operations in Japan, a country seen as a key market due to its aging population and challenging geography.

The collaboration aims to create drone delivery networks to transport essential goods across less accessible areas.

Analyst QuickTake: In March 2022, Wingcopter received funds from ITOCHU and partnered with the same to obtain distribution and technical support for Wingcopter’s delivery drones in Japan. This initiative to obtain approvals in Japan can be seen as a part of its efforts to strengthen its presence in the drone-based delivery sector, including seeking certification in the US, which would help the company expand its commercial operations globally. Furthermore, Japan has been a market of interest recently, with several peer companies, including Zipline, Matternet, and Skyports , that are tapping into the market in partnership with third parties. This is partially due to the Japanese Government actively recognizing the potential of drones.