Report: Japan Plots Takeoff for Flying Taxis

The Japanese government is launching a consortium to help develop and commercialize flying taxis, Bloomberg News reports.

The group, which includes automotive, aerospace and new mobility companies, plans to hold its first monthly meeting on Aug. 29, according to the report. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Transport Ministry are expected to draft a road map for the project this year.

Industry members are said to include Airbus, Boeing, Japan Airlines, NEC, Uber, Yamato and Cartivator, which is a Toyota-backed startup. Uber confirmed its participation, but the other companies declined to comment.

Several of the companies, including Airbus and Uber, have been working on their own flying car programs for several years. Most are focusing on ride-hailing services that use vertical-takeoff-and-landing modules rather than vehicles that can be operated on both the road and in the air.

Bloomberg says Japan, which is lagging China, Europe and the U.S., on autonomous and electric vehicle technologies, aims to become a leader in flying taxis. This includes infrastructure development and establishing international regulations.

Earlier this month, Japan’s Economy Minister Hiroshige Seko told reporters that flying taxis could help reduce traffic congestion, boost tourism and improve access to remote areas.