Joby Aviation has applied for its aircraft design to be certified for use by the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). This comes on the backdrop of the Japanese and US regulatory authorities confirming about reaching an agreement to deliver a streamlined approval process for US applicants that wish to validate their eVTOL aircraft designs in Japan.
Commenting on the application, JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby Aviation, said: “We’re incredibly excited about the potential for electric aerial ridesharing to offer a new form of clean and affordable urban and regional connectivity across Japan. With 92% of residents living in urban areas, we have a spectacular opportunity to save people time in congested cities like Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka while also reducing their impact on the environment. We strongly believe that a collaborative approach to regulation helps to foster greater safety and, by working hand-in-hand on certification, Japan and the US are ensuring that both countries continue to play a leading role in the adoption of climate-friendly transportation.”
Joby’s application is believed to be the first of its kind and is a necessary step to launching aerial ridesharing services in Japan.