Japanese companies ditch Chinese drones over security concerns

 

Japanese companies ditch Chinese drones over security concerns

TOKYO -- Chinese drones have made their way into the fleets deployed to inspect Japan's telecommunications network and power grid, but growing concerns about security have led the likes of NTT and Kyushu Electric Power to end their use.
 
The moves follow the Japanese government's decision to clamp down on public-sector purchases of Chinese drones for inspecting infrastructure. And the U.S. has blacklisted top Chinese drone maker DJI over national security concerns.
 
Yet even as Japanese manufacturers rush to develop homegrown products, a lack of cost-effective options with comparable capabilities may hold businesses back from making the switch.