The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced that it has selected a joint proposal for its eVTOL Implementation Project Phase I, with the consortium led by Nomura Real Estate Development and including ANA, East Japan Railway, Aero Toyota, Seibu, and Nikken Sekkei. Joby Aviation will supply eVTOL aircraft as part of the project, marking a key regulatory milestone for the company in Japan’s largest metropolitan market.
Joby’s involvement follows its 2022 application for aircraft certification in Japan and a December 2023 partnership with ANA Holdings and Nomura Real Estate Development to develop vertiports. The company will provide its eVTOL aircraft and support services, positioning it to potentially launch commercial operations in Tokyo once the project moves beyond the demonstration phase.
Phase I of the project is a three‑year effort that will begin with desktop studies, followed by demonstration flights scheduled for fiscal year 2026 and pre‑commercial service implementation in fiscal year 2027. The program will also build vertiports and integrate eVTOL services into existing transit networks, laying the groundwork for full urban air mobility by 2030.
The selection signals strong regulatory acceptance and a strategic partnership that could accelerate Joby’s commercial rollout in Japan. By aligning with major infrastructure and transportation companies, Joby gains access to critical real‑estate and operational expertise, while the Tokyo government gains a proven eVTOL platform to test and refine urban air mobility solutions.
The announcement also highlights the competitive nature of Japan’s emerging eVTOL market, where Archer Aviation is pursuing a similar project led by Japan Airlines. Joby’s early entry and established partnership network give it a competitive edge, but the company will need to navigate regulatory, operational, and market‑entry challenges to secure a commercial contract.
Joby’s Tokyo milestone complements its broader global strategy, which includes a planned launch in Dubai with a first vertiport under construction in late 2024 and a projected service start in late 2025. The company’s progress in Japan reinforces its position as a leading eVTOL provider and supports its goal of establishing a comprehensive air‑transport ecosystem across key international markets.
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