In an effort to prevent the Chinese Communist Party from accessing sensitive data, two leading Japanese infrastructure companies will stop using Chinese-made drones, joining the Japanese government’s move to curb potential security risks.
Under Communist Party law, Chinese companies cannot escape the control of the Chinese government, and the U.S. government is concerned that drones made by Chinese companies could transmit sensitive data to the Chinese Communist Party. For national security reasons, the U.S. Department of Commerce blacklisted Chinese drone maker DJI on Dec. 18, 2020. On Jan. 18 of this year, then-President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing U.S. government agencies to assess any security risks posed by Chinese-made drones and to prioritize their removal.
The Nikkei Asian Review reported on May 3 that a subsidiary of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone is currently using drones, some of which are made in China, to inspect cross-bridge telecommunications cables. These Chinese-made drones will be replaced with products made in Japan and elsewhere by the deadline.
The group company has also started producing its own drones. ntT East Japan, which established the subsidiary in December last year, had sold about 150 aircraft by the end of March this year, and the company aims to sell up to 2,000 drones by fiscal year 2023. Although the drones are mainly designed and produced for external customers, the company has not ruled out using them internally.
Kyushu Electric Power uses DJI drones, as well as drones made by Japanese and Swiss companies, to inspect ground equipment. We are weighing appropriate responses, including safety risks,” the company said, and will consider replacing DJI equipment with Japanese-made drones.
Japanese government agencies and infrastructure companies phasing out Chinese-made drones
Under new procurement guidelines that took effect this fiscal year, Japanese government agencies will replace drones that pose a significant cybersecurity risk. The Japanese Coast Guard has already stopped using Chinese-made drones.
The guidelines apply to drones used for infrastructure inspections in addition to national security purposes. The Japanese government has asked private sector contractors to strengthen security measures as well.
In May 2019, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security USA issued an alert about data risk issues with the use of Chinese-made drones. In the DHS alert, entitled “Chinese-Made Unmanned Aircraft Systems,” U.S. officials wanted to alert U.S. companies to “strong concerns about any technology products that could bring U.S. data into the territory of authoritarian countries” that would allow those countries’ intelligence services to These products would allow the intelligence services of those countries to have unrestricted access to data outside of their borders or otherwise misuse access.
William r. Evanina, director of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, has said, “Under Communist law, every Chinese technology company is obligated to provide the Chinese authorities with Chinese Communist authorities with information that they themselves have obtained or that is stored on their networks.” “All Americans should be concerned that their images, biometrics, location and other data stored on the Chinese companies’ applications will have to be turned over to the Communist Party’s national security agencies.”
DJI told Nikkei that the company has focused on information security, and that all customers have control over data collection, storage and sending.
Japanese manufacturers are heavily developing drones
Japanese drone makers are also ramping up research and development in response to a possible rise in demand for local products. Autonomous Control Systems Laboratory Ltd. (ACSL) is working with Yamaha Engine Co. and four other partners to develop drones that will be available as early as October. The flight data and all images taken by the drone will be protected.
Satoshi Washiya, president of ACSL, said, “Major electric and gas companies have contacted us saying they want to switch to domestic drones for inspections and other purposes.”
Sony Group released the Airpeak drone in January this year. The model is designed to be used primarily in the entertainment industry, but Sony will also consider expanding into logistics, infrastructure and other areas.
However, not all Japanese companies are ready to turn to homegrown drones. One major general contractor said, “It will be difficult to switch to a drone made by another company until the gap in capability and price is narrowed.”
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