Japan Airlines (JAL) and SKY Perfect JSAT have entered into a basic business alliance agreement to address regional challenges and create new businesses using satellite data.
By combining SKY Perfect JSAT’s satellite data and analytical technologies with JAL’s safety expertise cultivated through its aviation business and its network of regional partners, the two companies will jointly develop solutions that identify regional issues and support the development of countermeasures.
One of the themes under consideration is a solution to prevent harm to residents and travelers caused by the appearance of wild animals, including brown bears. Using environmental information such as vegetation obtained from satellite imagery, the solution will visualize local conditions related to the risk of animal appearances and provide the information to local governments and other organizations. The companies have already conducted interviews with local governments and relevant institutions and are moving forward with demonstration plans.
In recent years, wild animals have increasingly appeared in urban areas in Japan, posing challenges not only for ensuring the safety of residents and travelers but also for their impact on local economic activities such as tourism and events. From a preventive perspective, the two companies aim to help ensure safety and contribute to regional economic activity.
Under the alliance, the companies will conduct research into social issues and needs, build solutions using satellite data, carry out demonstrations in collaboration with government agencies, local governments, and private companies, and develop and implement business models based on the results of those demonstrations.
SKY Perfect JSAT has provided solutions to government agencies and private companies using Earth observation data from optical satellites, SAR satellites, thermal infrared satellites, and other sources. JAL is applying the safety standards and aviation technology expertise developed through its airline business to next-generation mobility businesses. The two companies have previously collaborated on satellite communications services for aircraft.
Going forward, starting with measures against wild animals, the companies will consider expanding into areas where satellite data utilization is expected, including disaster prevention and mitigation, forest management, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure management.
