CHANGE Holdings, Toko Computer Service, Aeronext, and NEXT DELIVERY Selected by Akita Prefecture to Conduct Drone-Based Bear Countermeasure Demonstration Project

～ Repurposing Existing Drone Logistics Operations to Deliver Cost-Effective, AI-Powered Wide-Area Bear Management～

CHANGE Holdings, Inc. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, President and Executive Officer: Hiroshi Fukudome; hereinafter “CHANGE Holdings”), its subsidiary Toko Computer Service Co., Ltd. (Head Office:Odate-city, Akita prefecture; President : Kenta Nikaido; hereinafter “TCS”), Aeronext Inc. (Head Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President & Group CEO: Keisuke Toji; hereinafter “Aeronext”), and its strategic subsidiary NEXT DELIVERY Inc. (Head Office: Kosuge, Yamanashi Prefecture; Representative Director: Keisuke Toji; hereinafter “NEXT DELIVERY”) today announced that the four companies have formed a joint venture (JV) that has been selected by Akita Prefecture to conduct its Drone-Based Bear Countermeasure Demonstration Project.

Akita Prefecture recorded 67 human injuries caused by bears^*1 in FY2025—the highest number in Japan—and bears have been reported in approximately 62%^*2 of residential areas across the prefecture, highlighting the urgent need for more effective wildlife management solutions.

Under this project, NEXT DELIVERY will repurpose the remote operational infrastructure already supporting its drone logistics services across 11 regions in Japan for bear monitoring and countermeasure operations.

Rather than establishing a dedicated bear-response organization, the project will leverage the existing drone operation framework, allowing current remote operators to manage additional bear-monitoring missions while local personnel perform only simple on-site tasks. As a result, no dedicated operators or specialized training programs will be required.

By utilizing existing infrastructure, the project is expected to minimize new capital investment while enabling deployment within only a few months. The demonstration will evaluate an integrated operational model encompassing early bear detection, capture support, and intrusion prevention.

*1: Updated June 12, Reiwa 8—Ministry of the Environment: Number of Human Injuries Caused by Bears (Preliminary Figures)
*2: December 8, 2025—Analysis conducted by the Akita Sakigake Shimpo based on information from the prefectural map system “Kumadasu”

Background

In response to an increase in black bear sightings in Akita Prefecture, ensuring the safety of residents and preventing damage has become an urgent priority; therefore, the prefecture has issued a call for proposals to demonstrate new countermeasures utilizing advanced technologies such as drones.

TCS, an information technology company headquartered in Akita Prefecture with extensive experience supporting local governments and public agencies, partnered with NEXT DELIVERY, which has conducted more than 1,800 Level 3.5 remote autonomous drone operations without requiring an on-site pilot, together with Aeronext’s drone technology expertise and CHANGE Holdings’ experience in public policy implementation and regional digital transformation.

The resulting four-company joint venture was selected to carry out the demonstration project.

Major Project Activities

The demonstration project will evaluate drone-enabled technologies for bear management in areas across Akita Prefecture, including mountainous regions, satoyama landscapes, and urban fringe areas.

・TheUtilizing remote autonomous drone operations to conduct routine aerial patrols for the early detection of bear activity. 
・Verifying an aerial monitoring and alert system designed to monitor high-risk areas along forest edges and residential communities. 
・Evaluating a sustainable dual-operation model that integrates everyday drone logistics operations with wildlife management while developing operational guidelines for broader deployment. project will focus on the following initiatives:

Operational Model Utilizing Existing Drone Logistics Infrastructure

The defining feature of this demonstration project is the repurposing of the existing remote drone operation infrastructure that NEXT DELIVERY has already established through its SkyHub^TM Smart Logistics network across 11 regions in Japan.

Rather than building a dedicated operational organization exclusively for wildlife management, the project adds bear-monitoring missions to the existing drone operation framework—including remote operators, aircraft, and cloud-based flight management systems.

This approach enables deployment within only a few months while requiring minimal additional investment beyond variable operating costs.Furthermore, through a “phase-free design” that enables a single drone to be used across logistics, bear control, and disaster prevention, we will establish a funding model designed to secure financial resources while also aiming for simultaneous compliance with the budgets of multiple government agencies, including the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (logistics), the Ministry of the Environment (wildlife management), and the Cabinet Office (disaster prevention).

Future Outlook

The knowledge and operational data accumulated through this demonstration project will be used to establish a scalable model for deployment throughout Akita Prefecture and eventually other municipalities across Japan facing similar wildlife management challenges.

Beyond bear countermeasures, the project aims to position drone-enabled wildlife management as a broader model for solving regional challenges through advanced technologies, while also exploring opportunities to stimulate new industries and attract skilled talent to regional communities.

Looking ahead, the four partner companies will continue collaborating to expand the application of the Simultaneous Remote Autonomous Multi-Drone Operation technologies originally developed for drone logistics into additional fields, including wildlife management, disaster response, and other public-interest applications.Through these initiatives, the partners seek to contribute to the development of next-generation aerial infrastructure that enables people and wildlife to coexist more safely while strengthening the resilience and sustainability of local communities.

【About Aeronext Inc.】

Guided by its mission, “Creating a world where prosperity reaches every corner through new social infrastructure for the 100-year life era,” Aeronext is pioneering the development of next-generation social infrastructure utilizing low-altitude airspace.

In addition to its technology licensing business and joint development projects centered on its proprietary 4D GRAVITY^TM center-of-gravity control technology, the company operates SkyHub^TM, a New Smart Logistics platform that integrates and optimizes regional logistics, as well as drone operation services through its strategic subsidiary, NEXT DELIVERY Inc. SkyHub^TM has already been deployed in multiple regions across Japan and continues to expand as a sustainable, phase-free regional logistics infrastructure that supports both everyday logistics and emergency transportation during disasters.

Building on the Simultaneous Remote Autonomous Multi-Drone Operation technologies developed through its logistics business, Aeronext is also advancing the real-world deployment of Physical AI.  The company is expanding its AI modules across a wide range of industries—including logistics, agriculture, infrastructure inspection, disaster response, and security—while developing a platform capable of seamlessly integrating and controlling diverse drones and robotic systems.

*Company profile: https://aeronext.com/

【About NEXT DELIVERY Inc.】

NEXT DELIVERY Inc., a strategic subsidiary of Aeronext, operates the SkyHub® Smart Logistics business, which consolidates and optimizes regional logistics to create next-generation logistics infrastructure.

The company also provides professional drone operation services delivered by one of Japan’s most experienced drone operation teams, combining advanced technologies with extensive operational expertise.

SkyHub^TM has already achieved real-world deployment in multiple regions throughout Japan, contributing to the sustainable transformation of regional logistics and addressing challenges associated with population decline, labor shortages, and aging communities.

Leveraging the operational know-how accumulated through nationwide drone logistics services, NEXT DELIVERY continues to expand the application of autonomous drone operations into new fields, including disaster response, wildlife management, healthcare, and other public-interest service.

*Company profile: https://aeronext.com/

【About Toko Computer Service Co., Ltd.】

Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Odate City, Akita Prefecture, Toko Computer Service Co., Ltd. (TCS) is an information technology company providing software development, system integration, implementation support, and IT solutions for both public and private sector organizations.

The company operates throughout the Tohoku region as well as Sapporo and Tokyo, delivering business support systems tailored to regional needs.

TCS also develops and markets proprietary software packages nationwide, including JUKAI, an integrated business management system for forestry cooperatives, contributing to regional development through digital innovation.

As the lead member of the joint venture for this project, TCS is responsible for coordinating with Akita Prefecture and local municipalities, as well as compiling and reporting the demonstration results.

*Company profile: https://www.tcs.tokogrp.co.jp/

【About CHANGE Holdings, Inc.】

Change Holdings’ mission is “Change People, Change Business, Change Japan,” and under the vision of “Changing Productivity,” the company drives and expands its operations through two core business pillars: the NEW-IT Transformation Business, which supports the development of digital talent and drives the innovation and digitalization of business processes, and the PubliTech Business, which promotes regional revitalization through DX.

*Company profile:  https://www.changeholdings.co.jp/

【For inquiries from the press regarding this news release】

Aeronext Inc. /NEXT DELIVERY  PR Dept. (Contact: Ito)
Tel: +81-3-6455-0626　Email: aeronext_pr@aeronext.com

CHANGE Holdings, Inc. PR（Contact：Munakata・Oka・Takahashi）
Tel：+81-3-6435-8396 Email： pr@change-jp.com