Blue Economy Symposium Using Marine Drones
Overview
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism will hold a symposium on October 19, 2026, to promote the use of marine drones and help solve challenges in coastal and remote-island regions. The event will feature public- and private-sector presentations, a panel discussion, demonstrations of actual equipment, individual consultations, and participant networking. It will be held in a hybrid format, with both in-person and online participation available. Participation is free, and advance registration is required.
Key points
- A symposium will be held to promote the use of marine drones and help solve challenges in coastal and remote-island regions.
- The event will feature public- and private-sector presentations, a panel discussion, demonstrations of actual equipment, individual consultations, and participant networking.
- The event will combine an in-person gathering with online streaming via a Microsoft Teams webinar.
- In-person attendance is limited to 100 people, online viewing to 500 people, and participation is free.
Overview
Marine drones are a general term for unmanned vehicles operated autonomously or remotely at sea, and their use is expected across a wide range of fields. They are also positioned as one of the important technology fields in Japan's growth strategy.
The symposium will share the latest trends and advanced case studies involving marine drones, while providing opportunities for industry, academia, and government stakeholders to exchange views and network.
Impact
The event is expected to contribute to the future development of the marine industry and the growth of the marine economy by promoting the use of marine drones. It is also intended to provide an opportunity to consider how marine drones can help solve regional challenges and enable new applications.
Details
The event will use a hybrid format combining an in-person gathering with online streaming. The venue is TKP Shinagawa Conference Center, Halls 9A–9D, located on the 9th floor of Keikyu Dai 2 Building, 3-25-23 Takanawa, Minato, Tokyo, a 3-minute walk from the Takanawa Exit of Shinagawa Station. Online streaming will be provided through a Microsoft Teams webinar.
The event is intended for businesses, local governments, research institutions, related organizations, and others interested in using marine drones. Participation is free and advance registration is required. Registration may close when capacity is reached.
The organizer is the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and the event operator is PwC Consulting LLC. In addition to presentations and a panel discussion, the event will include demonstrations of actual marine drone equipment, individual consultations, and networking among participants.