Japan's Finance Minister Visits SkyDrive eVTOL Flight-Test Facility

Japan’s finance minister, Satsuki Katayama, visited SkyDrive’s flight-test facility in Yamaguchi City on 31 October 2026, where she observed an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) demonstration and received a briefing on the aircraft, test facilities and development plans.

Key details

• The aircraft flew without an onboard pilot, using automatic flight control and remote piloting, according to the report.
• SkyDrive reported that the demonstration covered 2.2 km in about six minutes, at a maximum speed of 78 km/h and an altitude of 30 m.
• Suzuki Motor Corporation representatives Naomi Ishii and Hidetoshi Kumashiro attended and discussed manufacturing plans and overseas-market ambitions.

SkyDrive’s aircraft traveled 2.2 km in about six minutes, reaching 78 km/h and an altitude of 30 m.