Mitsubishi Electric, MUFG Bank, Integrated Design & Engineering Holdings (ID&E), Kokusai Kogyo, and ZENRIN announced that they had invested in Satellite Data Services (SDS), positioning the company to accelerate the use of diverse satellite data across sectors.
Mitsubishi Electric, MUFG Bank, and ID&E increased their existing stakes in SDS through a third-party share allotment, while Kokusai Kogyo and ZENRIN made their initial investments in the company. Following the transaction, SDS has transitioned into a fully operating company.
The move comes as Japan’s government intensifies efforts to expand the use of satellite data in public-sector operations. A government task force has developed a basic policy for the future utilization of satellite data, encouraging ministries and agencies to proactively adopt such data to strengthen infrastructure and address global challenges.
In addition, as part of plans to establish a Disaster Management Agency by the fiscal year ending March 2027, Japan’s Cabinet has approved a basic policy to enhance the country’s disaster resilience. The measures include leveraging satellite observation data to rapidly assess disaster-stricken areas.
SDS was originally established in June 2021 on a non-operating basis by companies spanning the satellite-data value chain, including satellite development, operations, data analysis, and consulting. Since its formation, SDS has conducted studies and demonstration projects in areas such as land and infrastructure management, rapid disaster assessment, and farmland and building management, with the goal of developing and expanding the market for satellite data utilization.
