TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance (TEDIBOA) Co-Chair Wu Hsiu-hui (吳秀蕙) and Japan Drone Consortium Chair Nonami Kenzo signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday.
Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei (郭智輝) attended the signing, which will focus on disaster relief, autonomous flight testing, and the development of a Taiwan-Japan drone supply chain, per CNA.
The Japan Drone Consortium, comprised of 293 companies, is a leading force in the country's drone technology development. Nonami, a key figure in drone research, said the Japanese government has allocated over NT$270 billion (US$8.37 billion) to develop its drone sector.
Nonami said that Taiwan's strong manufacturing capabilities and comprehensive electronics and information and communication technology supply chain make it an ideal partner. He hopes TEDIBOA can establish a presence in Japan, allowing the two sides to leverage their strengths in drone development.
Nonami highlighted that Taiwan and Japan are prone to earthquakes. He also hopes both countries can use drone technology to provide real-time support if disasters occur in either nation.
Wu said that TEDIBOA will organize visits to Taiwan's drone facilities for the Japan Drone Consortium delegation. The Japanese alliance said that during its visit to Taiwan, it will focus on Taiwan's research and development capabilities in key components such as batteries, controllers, motors, and wireless communication.
Kuo said the global drone market will reach NT$1.59 trillion by 2030. He noted that Taiwan’s strengths in ICT, semiconductors, and system integration complement Japan’s advantages in precision manufacturing.
The Industrial Technology Research Institute plays a key role in TEDIBOA by supporting key technologies and providing analysis of international trends and market strategies. ITRI President Edwin Liu (劉文雄) said the institute will advance Taiwan's tech industry and leverage opportunities at global exhibitions to foster international cooperation.
In February, TEDIBOA led representatives from the Industrial Development Administration, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, and 25 local drone manufacturers to the Xponential Europe tech expo in Germany. TEDIBOA showcased anti-drone systems, communication equipment, flight control chips, and drone payloads.
