Press Releases
Soracle Signs Partnership Agreement with Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City with the Aim of Promoting the Commercialization of eVTOLs — Working Toward the Future, Building on the Legacy of Expo 2025 Initiatives —
Soracle Corporation (Head Office: Chuo City, Tokyo; CEO: Yukihiro Ota; hereinafter “Soracle”) today announced the signing of the “Agreement to Collaborate on the Promotion of eVTOL Commercialization (hereinafter, the ‘Agreement’),” to collaborate and cooperate with Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City in promoting the commercialization of eVTOLs in Osaka.
(From left: Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura of Osaka Prefecture,
West Japan Branch Manager Kumiko Miyasaka of JAL,
RepresentativeDirectors Toshihiro Sasaki and Yukihiro Ota, of Soracle,
Deputy General Manager Kyoichiro Takashima of the Kansai Office of
Sumitomo Corporation, Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama of Osaka City)
With the aim of commercializing eVTOLs, and as a shareholder of Soracle, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. has been contributing to 2025 World Exposition (hereinafter referred to as “Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai”) since its opening in April by presenting Sora Cruise (*1), an immersive theater experience that portrays the skybound future where eVTOLs take to the air. At the same time, Soracle hosted the Future Sky Experience, showcasing full-scale eVTOL aircraft (*2), in July 2025 as the first step toward realizing this future. Furthermore, Soracle also plans to conduct demonstration flights by “Midnight,” developed by Archer Aviation, in the Osaka-Kansai area in 2026 (*3).
Under the Agreement, Soracle, Osaka Prefecture, and Osaka City will build on the legacy of these Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai initiatives, and work together on specific initiatives aimed at launching commercial eVTOL services in the Osaka-Kansai area in 2027. Through these efforts, the partners aim to create new value by connecting the region’s rich tourism resources.
(*1) March 13, 2025 press release
JAL Presents Immersive Theater “SoraCruise” at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan｜JAL Group – Press Release
(*2) June 4, 2025 press release
Soracle to Showcase Full-Scale “Midnight” eVTOL Model at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai— See and Experience the eVTOL Nearing Practical Use — | Soracle
(*3) April 3, 2025 press release
About Soracle’s initiatives aimed at Expo 2025 and future social implementation | Soracle
[Examples of Specific Initiatives Based on the Agreement]
1. Regarding the forming of a eVTOL operational network in the Kansai region centered on Osaka
(1) Develop a eVTOL business model with a focus on the tourism sector
・Explore business models in the tourism sector and promote policies aimed at realizing them
(2) Examine and explore opportunities for use beyond the tourism sector
・Explore the expansion of services to major locations and airports across the Kansai region
centered on Osaka
(3) Develop infrastructure
・Examine and explore the development of take-off and landing sites necessary for establishing
an operational network
・Explore and build systems to support the launch and expansion of businesses (maintenance
facilities, human resources development, etc.)
・Develop infrastructure and data platforms to support the launch and expansion of businesses
2. Regarding the providing of one-stop support for eVTOL-related businesses
(1) Identify and deal with the types of support needed for social implementation
Ex) Coordinating with municipalities and public- and private-sector stakeholders, and establishing the necessary environment for take-off/landing sites, flight routes, etc., including test flights
(2) Explore the establishment of systems and easing of regulations in collaboration with
private-sector stakeholders, based on the business environment
(3) Measures to effectively enhance social acceptance of eVTOLs
Ex) Foster public interest and awareness (through external communication and promotion)
3. Regarding, e.g., support during emergency medical care and disasters
(1) Examine and explore the measures for using eVTOLs for emergency medical care
・Examine and explore the potential for using eVTOLs for emergency medical care
(2) Examine and explore measures for using eVTOLs during disasters
・Examine and explore the potential for using eVTOLs for rescue operations, supply transport, etc., during disasters
[Comments from Governor Yoshimura of Osaka Prefecture and Mayor Yokoyama of Osaka City]
Hirofumi Yoshimura, Governor of Osaka Prefecture
Osaka Prefecture/City are truly delighted to have signed this
partnership agreement on eVTOLs with Soracle.
Through the exhibition of eVTOLs at Expo 2025, I believe many
visitors and residents of Osaka Prefecture have become interested
in traveling freely through the skies in eVTOLs. We will realize this
in the Osaka Bay Area by 2027. While we will face many challenges along the way, Osaka Prefecture and Osaka City will cooperate fully with Soracle, as stakeholders, to realize commercial operations by 2027. Our goal is for Osaka to be known as the place where people can ride eVTOLs. Let’s bring about a revolution in air mobility
starting from Osaka and Kansai.
Hideyuki Yokoyama, Mayor of Osaka City
It is a great pleasure to have concluded this wonderful partnership agreement with Soracle.
One of our main goals is to realize the social implementation of
eVTOL technologies showcased at Expo 2025 currently being held
in Osaka, Kansai. As such, it is very heartening to see Soracle
making steady progress toward the goal of beginning commercial
operations by 2027. EVTOLs have great potential, not only for
tourism, but also for handling emergency medical care and
disasters as described in our partnership agreement. Given Osaka’s location facing the sea, we are confident that the city is well suited for raising public acceptance during the initial phase, and for
moving onto early implementation thereafter. Osaka City also has Osakako Vertiport, a dedicated take-off and landing site for
eVTOLs, and I strongly recommend its use. Moving forward, we will work with Osaka Prefecture to support Soracle in achieving
commercial operations.
Soracle Overview
- Company name
- Soracle Corporation
- Line of business
- Air transportation services based on eVTOLs
(eVTOLs; planned obtaining of permit) - Established
- June 2024
- Representatives
- Representative Directors Yukihiro Ota and
Toshihiro Sasaki - Stockholders
- Sumitomo Corporation and Japan Airlines
Co., Ltd. - Address
- Chuo City, Tokyo
- Website
- https://www.soraclecorp.com/en/
