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Sumitomo Corporation and NTT e-Drone Technology Launch Marketing Collaboration to Expand Adoption of Domestically Produced Agricultural Drones

Accelerating Japanese drone industry development through transfer of Nileworks' development resources and solutions for challenges in the agricultural sector


　　February 10, 2026

Sumitomo Corporation

NTT e-Drone Technology, Inc.


Sumitomo Corporation (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer: Shingo Ueno; hereinafter "Sumitomo Corporation") and NTT e-Drone Technology, Inc. (Head Office: Asaka City, Saitama; President: Masahiro Takizawa; hereinafter "NTT e-Drone Technology"; collectively, the "Companies") have launched a marketing collaboration (the "Collaboration") as of February 2026 with the aim of expanding the adoption of domestically produced agricultural drones.

Since 2017, Sumitomo Corporation has invested in Nileworks and promoted the smartification of agriculture. Subsequently, in light of changes in the market environment and the expectation that addressing certain technical challenges would require a considerable period of time, Nileworks’ shareholders assessed that strengthening collaboration within the industry, rather than pursuing the business on a standalone basis, would be more appropriate. Meanwhile, NTT e-Drone Technology has established an integrated structure encompassing the development and manufacture of industrial drones as well as operational support and, since commencing operations in 2021, has advanced initiatives aimed at the implementation of domestically produced drones.

 

Against this backdrop, Nileworks' shareholders, including Sumitomo Corporation, decided in June 2025 to transfer Nileworks’ agricultural drone development resources to NTT e-Drone Technology, while also transferring its remaining businesses to another company, and subsequently resolved to dissolve Nileworks in November of the same year. Following this business restructuring and the consolidation of domestically produced drone technologies, the Companies transitioned to a structure aimed at developing and promoting more competitive products.

After this transition, Sumitomo Corporation and NTT e-Drone Technology, following discussions, agreed to pursue a marketing collaboration aimed at expanding the adoption of domestically produced agricultural drones.

 

Under this new collaboration, the Companies will combine Sumitomo Corporation's domestic and global sales networks with NTT e-Drone Technology's development capabilities to strengthen business execution in support of the wider adoption of domestically produced drones. Through these efforts, the Companies aim to contribute to the realization of sustainable agriculture and enhanced food security.

 

Agricultural Environment and Social Challenges

Japan's agricultural sector is facing an acute shortage of labor and an aging workforce, making the maintenance of production systems through labor-saving and efficiency-enhancing measures an urgent priority. Agricultural drones are increasingly being used for precision pesticide application, field sensing and crop growth management, and represent a highly promising means of reducing the burden on production sites while improving productivity.At the same time, the agricultural drone market remains heavily dependent on overseas products, raising concerns regarding instability of parts supply and potential security risks. Under these circumstances, expanding the adoption and utilization of drones based on domestically developed technologies is becoming increasingly important from the perspectives of agricultural sustainability and food security.

 

Overview of the Collaboration and Future Development

Through the Collaboration, the Companies will jointly promote the marketing and sales of agricultural drone products and related services by leveraging Sumitomo Corporation's domestic and international agricultural materials sales networks. In parallel, they will support the development of training, maintenance and other support frameworks to create an environment in which producers nationwide can adopt agricultural drones with confidence. In addition, the Companies plan to conduct market research together in overseas markets, beginning with Vietnam, to assess the potential for product deployment tailored to local needs and build business models with a view to global expansion.

 

NTT e-Drone Technology will also incorporate needs identified through marketing activities into its research and development efforts, promoting a market-in approach to product development.

 

Through the Collaboration, the Companies will strengthen agricultural support using domestically developed technologies and work toward the realization of sustainable agriculture and a stable food supply system.

 

About Sumitomo Corporation

Sumitomo Corporation (TYO: 8053) is an integrated trading and business investment company with a strong global network comprising 125 offices in 63 countries and regions. The Sumitomo Corporation Group consists of approximately 500 companies and 80,000 employees on a consolidated basis. The Group's business activities are spread across the following nine groups: Steel, Automotive, Transportation & Construction Systems, Diverse Urban Development, Media & Digital, Lifestyle Business, Mineral Resources, Chemicals Solutions and Energy Transformation Business. Sumitomo Corporation is committed to creating greater value for society under the corporate message of "Enriching lives and the world," based on Sumitomo’s business philosophy passed down for over 400 years. 

 

About NTT e-Drone Technology

NTT E-Drone Technology is a member of the NTT East Group focused on the development and manufacturing of domestically produced drones. The company supports safe and efficient drone operations across a wide range of fields, including agriculture, infrastructure inspection and disaster response. By combining drone technologies with advanced communications capabilities, NTT e-Drone Technology promotes safe, reliable real-world drone implementation.

Customer InquiriesSumitomo Corporation, Chemical Solutions Group, Agri Innovation Unit

NTT e-Drone Technology, Inc., Service Promotion Department, Ueda

 

Media InquiriesSumitomo Corporation, Corporate Communications Dept., Marketing Communication Team

 

NTT East Corporation, Corporate Planning Department, Public Relations Office

Tel: 03-5359-3711

 

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