Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) says flying cars will become a common mode of everyday transportation.
MLIT, in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, gathered public and private sector stakeholders working towards the social implementation of flying cars in Japan, on August 28, 2025. At the Public-Private Council for the Air Mobility Revolution meeting, a four-phase vision for the social implementation of advanced air mobility was compiled. Reports were shared on the status of discussions regarding the expansion of commercial flying car operations as well as the development of regulatory frameworks to accommodate diverse aircraft types and advanced operations.
It was also decided at the meeting that six new businesses would join the council as members. These new members are Archer Aviation, Soracle Inc., Nikken Sekkei Ltd., Raymay Inc., Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.
Ultimately, MLIT expects flying cars to be a major emerging market in the aviation industry, with the global market size predicted to be approximately 184 trillion yen by 2050. “Flying car transportation is a new service, and to develop it as an industry, it is important to not only establish an industrial infrastructure through the development of related technologies such as aircraft and traffic control systems, but also to create demand and develop the market by envisioning the future domestic market and promoting the necessary environment to realise it, thereby attracting many businesses and investors,” the ministry said, adding that following the Osaka-Kansai Expo, which ends in October, flying cars will enter the social implementation stage. During the Expo, multiple domestic and international vehicles have been flown around the vertiports within the Expo site.
Initial implementation phase
MLIT estimates that the first phases of implementation would take place in 2027 or 2028, possibly sooner.
“In select cities, limited commercial operations will begin, utilising existing facilities and vertiports being developed first, offering extraordinary experiences such as point-to-point flights connecting major areas and scenic flights over bay areas,” the ministry said. “In preparation for the launch of airport access operations, demonstrations* will be conducted in stages, and expertise, such as flight coordination with existing aircraft, will be accumulated by both the public and private sectors.”
During this phase, and in some advanced regions, commercial flights are expected to begin, including scenic flights and cargo transportation. In addition, several local governments will consider introducing flying cars for public purposes, such as emergency medical care and disaster response.
“In the early stages of implementation, a small number of aircraft and vertiports are expected to operate,” MLIT noted, adding that “it is important to quickly launch commercial flying car operations and build a track record while utilising existing infrastructure.”
To improve the convenience of flying cars and ensure their economic viability in the future, it will be necessary to increase flight frequency and establish an operating network within and between cities. Therefore, MLIT stressed the importance of stakeholders to collaborate on the formulation of flight plans and the development of infrastructure, such as new vertiports, so that this network can be formed.
Mid-term growth phase
For the mid-term growth period, which MLIT estimates to be around the early 2030s, flight frequency will be increased and service areas will expand. Several new vertiports will be established during this phase, and intercity service will expand between metropolitan centres and cities, forming the prototype of a wide-area service network in each metropolitan area. As intercity service becomes more active, intracity service connecting city centres and their surrounding areas will begin in some major areas.
“As issues such as coordination with existing aircraft and related facility development are resolved, airport access services will begin in some areas, connecting airports with commercial facilities, hotels and other metropolitan areas,” MLIT continued. “Initially, service will be implemented at a low frequency, gradually increasing with operation.”
Multiple vertiports are planned around a hub location, and point-to-point flights will also be launched to transport tourists to tourist destinations and areas with limited access to airports. Vertiports are also expected at logistics hubs, enabling cargo transport services. Potential public uses during this mid-term period include transporting doctors and patients between hospitals, transporting doctors to accident sites, and transporting organs.
With increased flight frequency, flying car routes are expected to expand in major cities and tourist destinations. To achieve this, MLIT said it is necessary to increase social acceptance in the areas where the system will be introduced. “To this end, local governments and other relevant parties must work together to maximise the benefits of introduction, ensure transparency and promote communication with residents regarding introduction, minimise side effects (noise, environmental impact, etc.), explain safety, and protect privacy.
To achieve this, it is important to develop infrastructure, such as base VPs, which will serve as hubs for the network, and establish an appropriate operational system.”
Long-term maturity phase
For the long-term maturity phase, expected to be in the late 2030s, MLIT foresees flying cars established as a daily mode of transportation for more people. Intercity flights within metropolitan areas will further expand, forming wide-area flight networks in each metropolitan area and further enabling free travel between major cities.
“By developing vertiports in various locations, such as rooftops, multiple takeoffs and landings will become possible within cities, expanding intra-city flights and forming the prototype for an intra-city network,” the ministry said. “As airport access operations mature, the number of airports offering airport access services will expand. At airports where services have already been introduced, flight frequency will increase and the service will become established. Some airports will also offer inter-airport services. Related infrastructure improvements will be implemented to further improve convenience, such as shortening transfer times.”
By this stage, MLIT expects flying cars to be available at tourist destinations across the country, expanding their uses for transportation to nearby tourist destinations and connecting with regional airports, and establishing tourism as a standard. “Dramatic reductions in operating costs will reduce fares, allowing tourists to use flying cars as a common means of transportation.” the ministry said. “Flying cars will also begin operating as a daily means of transportation, not just for tourism. Initially, they will be introduced in areas where flying cars’ operational characteristics are most effective, such as remote islands and areas where travel is difficult due to elevation changes or underdeveloped transportation networks. As operations expand, the prototype of a wide-area operation network will be formed in some areas. As aircraft performance improves and costs decrease, use will expand in many municipalities for medical and emergency purposes and disaster response.”
To ensure smooth operation, technological development and system updates, such as in traffic management, will be necessary as operations increase. MLIT intends to build a track record of safe operations and establish a situation in which flying cars become a part of everyday life.
Completion phase
For the final phase of the plan, the completion phase, starting in the 2040s, metropolitan areas will be fully connected with flying cars, shortening distances and expanding the scope of everyday travel for work and personal reasons. “Vehicle parking spaces will become commonplace in various urban locations, such as around train stations, commercial facilities, and on the rooftops of major buildings, making flying cars accessible anytime, anywhere,” MLIT said.
Expanding air travel would likely lead to a reduction in ground traffic. For example, flying cars are expected to become a common mode of transportation to airports. In addition, travel options would expand, such as visiting multiple destinations in one trip, and tourist destinations that have not yet fully realised their potential due to their location are likely to benefit.
With regard to the near future and MLIT’s post-Expo implementation plans, operators are currently considering flight plans, while local governments and developers are also considering the establishment of virtual parking facilities. Additionally, study groups and councils involving these operators and other stakeholders have been established in each prefecture and other areas to consider making this a reality.
For more information
Advanced aerial mobility vision at MLIT [in Japanese]
Image: Expo 2025
This news story has been created with the assistance of translation software to translate the supporting material from the council’s meeting.