Joby Aviation has performed a demonstration flight of its electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in front of crowds at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai in Japan.
On September 30, 2025, in partnership with ANA, Joby’s S4 aircraft successfully completed a vertical takeoff, followed by full transition to wingborne flight and a vertical landing.
The moment marked the first time that an eVTOL aircraft has flown at a world expo and was designed to give the Japanese public their first taste of air taxi flight.
Painted in an ANA livery, the Joby eVTOL aircraft is scheduled to conduct more than 20 flights over a 13-day period.
Joby and ANA plan to build a national air taxi ecosystem starting in Japan’s capital Tokyo. The two plan to deploy more than 100 Joby aircraft in an effort to transform urban mobility in the region.
History made in Japan! 🇯🇵 With our partner @FlyANA_official, we kicked off the next phase of Japan’s air taxi future with public flight demos at @expo2025japan. https://t.co/HAK5OVAPis (1/5) pic.twitter.com/772nqsQvKb
— Joby Aviation (@jobyaviation) September 30, 2025
This development will include a network of vertiports, pilot training programs and aircraft maintenance support.
“Japan has led the world in transforming ground transportation with its world-class automotive industry and iconic bullet trains. Now, Japan is poised to lead the world again, this time in the air,” said JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and founder of Joby.
He added: “With these flights and our world-class partners, we’re now positioned to lean in on the important work of engaging communities, collaborating with regulators and bringing on more partners to make our dream a reality.”
Public demonstration flights are part of a drive by eVTOL aircraft developers to allow people to become accustomed to the technology.
The flights are also an important way to gather valuable data on airspace integration, which will be used in collaboration with the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) for development of regulatory pathways.
“Joby’s air taxi demonstration flight at the Expo represents a significant step toward bringing our air taxi service to life in Japan,” said Koji Shibata, President and CEO of ANA HD. “With the support of national and local government officials, as well as private-sector partners helping us build this future together, we intend to create the wings for a new era of air mobility.”
Once certified, Joby’s S4 aircraft will be able to carry a pilot and up to four passengers at speeds of up to 200 mph (320km/h).
