Arab News Japan

TOKYO:  The latest drones and prototypes for industrial, military and civilian use were displayed by 166 exhibitors at the Japan Drone expo 2022 from June 21 to 23 at the Makuhari Messe exhibition hall near Tokyo.

Most of the exhibitors were Japanese with a strong predominance of drone companies invested in the Tohoku region of northeast Japan.

One outstanding product was the Takawaseimitsu company’s Rado Hotaru drone that is capable of exploring damaged nuclear reactors such as the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. Other manufacturers are also looking at ways to contribute to the Tohoku region and many are using the challenges found in the area to test these unmanned aircraft.

Drones were still in their infancy when the 2011 earthquake and tsunami struck the Tohoku region, wiping out sea defenses and villages, and leading to explosions at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. With roads and other means of transportation damaged, drones could have helped the rescue services in the disaster.

Terra Labo manufactures drones that are able to travel long distances and are capable of modeling in three dimensions. The Drone Terra Dolphin 8000 can travel 2,000 km at a speed of 250 km/h. The drones of this company have helped in the Fukushima region and also during floods in the city of Atami.

Smart drones from the KDDI company and the Pro drone company can transport large objects and medical equipment over long distances in depopulated and inaccessible places such as mountains.

Underwater drones for the inspection of cracks on hydroelectric dams were on display in aquariums, while prototypes of military surveillance drones were exhibited by the American company General Atomic, which is hoping for partnerships in the field of territorial water surveillance and disaster prevention.