Tokyo: Japan’s transport ministry and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday signed an agreement to work together to establish rules and standards aimed at putting flying cars into practical use.

The Japan-U.S. agreement included sharing of information related to safety standards, licensing, operation rules and other regulations on aerial vehicles viewed as a next-generation means of transportation.

The two countries hope that the agreement will help smooth the way for vehicle authentication and other procedures.

The agreement comes as Japan aims to use flying cars as a means of transportation at the 2025 World Expo in the western city of Osaka.

U.S. startup Joby Aviation Inc. Tuesday applied for its electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft design to be certified for use in Japan.

It was the first application for a type certificate in Japan made by a foreign flying car producer.

Joby Aviation is partly owned by Toyota Motor Corp. and is under a partnership with Japanese airline ANA Holdings Inc.

A clear definition of flying cars has yet to be made but the Japanese ministry assumes that they will be electric vehicles capable of vertical takeoff and landing and automatic driving.

“It’s very important from an international strategic perspective that Japan creates global standards ahead of others,” transport minister Tetsuo Saito told a press conference.

JIJI Press