The use of drones at the disaster site affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake this January is expanding. Drones have been used for research of disaster sites so far but this time drones have a role of delivering medicines and daily necessities to cut-off communities. If the performance of drones improves further, they have a potential to significantly change the way support is provided to disaster sites such as mass transportation of goods. A cooperation system between the government which oversees disaster response and private companies which engage in drone business is essential. 　
 
According to a drone industry association, “Japan UAS Industry Development Association (JUIDA),” this is the first attempt in Japan to utilize drones during a disaster for delivering goods to disaster sites. JUIDA has received a total of seven requests from the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) and the Self-Defense Forces since January 8^th and delivered about one hundred people’s medicines prescribed by a hospital to cut-off communities in Wajima city, Ishikawa prefecture. Right after the earthquake, members of the Self-Defense Forces took one hour one way to deliver them. But using drones, the time taken was shortened to ten minutes one way.
 
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, drones delivered food and daily supplies such as soap to elderly care facilities in the area where roads are cut off by fallen trees in Noto town, Ishikawa prefecture. The town requested the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport saying that it is dangerous for staff to deliver them.
 
Drones were utilized for recovery work of severed roads in various places too. Technical Emergency Control Force (TEC-FORCE)’s staff of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism flew drones to a height of a hundred and several tens of meters and took pictures of the terrain. Drones investigated the site conditions where surveying is difficult by car or on foot, which implemented emergency measures accordingly.
 
The Self-Defense Forces also used drones to assess the damage caused by a large-scale fire and others in Wajima city. Using drones has advantages such as being able to correct information in a brief time and safely investigate a dangerous place with rubble and potential mudslides.
 
Although using drones during disasters had been permitted as an exception, flying drones in inhabited areas where there are housings and roads had been restricted. This regulation was reviewed in stages. Then based on the implementation of the amended Civil Aeronautics Act in December 2022, it became possible to fly aircraft if requirements are met.
 
The forecast of Impress Corporation (Chiyoda, Tokyo) shows that the market size of the drone business in Japan in FY 2028 will be 934 billion yen (about 6.3 billion dollars) which is a big expansion from 230.8 billion yen (about 1.5 billion dollars) in FY 2021. Technical improvement of corporations who aim for practical application in delivery and surveying are contributing to emergency response.
 
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Background Information:
 
https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGKKZO78026300X20C24A1CM0000/
https://mainichi.jp/articles/20240209/k00/00m/040/047000c
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240109/k10014314231000.html
https://medical.nikkeibp.co.jp/leaf/all/hotnews/int/202401/582771.html