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During his travels around the world as a student, Akita, Japan-born Kōmei Sasaki brought along a drone to better capture the memories of each destination. This hands-on experience sparked a deep interest in drone technology and led him to become one of the founding staff members of Japan’s first DJI store. At the store, Kōmei immersed himself in Japan’s emerging drone culture, training new users, capturing stunning aerial imagery, and exploring the creative potential of unmanned flight.

His expertise grew quickly, setting the stage for his next ambitious chapter. In 2019, after assisting with a drone light show, Kōmei launched his own company, RedCliff, with the bold vision of becoming Japan’s premier drone light show provider. For nearly two years, he traveled the globe to study drone light performances firsthand, learning everything he could about this fast evolving niche.

His dedication paid off. In 2021, RedCliff produced Japan’s largest drone show at the time, earning national attention. Fueled by his passion and a desire to elevate Japan’s global presence in the field, Kōmei founded the Japan Drone Show Association (JDSA) on July 30, 2024, to support the industry’s growth, innovation, and standardization. “The Japan drone show market is still developing, and the untapped possibilities are endless.

There are high expectations for it as a new pillar of customer attraction and an innovative means of advertising,” Kōmei states on the Association’s website. “On the other hand, they also face a variety of challenges, such as rule-making and technical challenges to protect safety and public order. The association was established to solve these challenges and support the development of the industry as a whole.”

The JDSA includes members from a wide range of sectors, not only drone-specific companies but also representatives from tax initiatives, cultural event planning, and regional revitalization efforts. Together, they work to promote the safe integration of drone light shows into cultural life across Japan, through public education and collaboration with government entities. In early 2025, the association launched the Japan Drone Show Creativity Awards, a national competition recognizing standout drone light shows that took place in Japan between January 1 and December 31, 2024.

Eligible companies were invited to submit footage of their shows, which were evaluated across several categories emphasizing creativity, imagination, and innovation. The award categories included Most Drones Used, Most Entertaining, Regional and Urban Revitalization, Advertising and Promotion, and Social Messaging. The JDSA has not disclosed how many companies submitted entries, but Japan’s drone light show sector is expanding rapidly. While first-place and runner-up honors were announced for each category, no monetary or material prizes have been confirmed, aside from the industry prestige associated with winning.

Notably, RedCliff took first place in four of the five categories: Most Drones Used, Most Entertaining, Advertising and Promotion, and Social Messaging. As Kōmei is the founder of the JDSA, it stands to reason that he and any RedCliff-affiliated members recused themselves from the voting process to avoid conflicts of interest.

RedCliff’s winning entries included a New Year’s Eve show with 2,025 drones at Flower Park Osawa Roadside Station in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, the Star Island show featuring integrated fireworks and drones at the Mizuho PayPay Dome, a collaboration with Coca-Cola Japan, also in Kobe, that blended branding and aerial storytelling, and the Music Loves Art-Phoenix of Light show at Expo ’70 Commemorative Park in Suita City, Osaka Prefecture.

The one category RedCliff did not win, Regional and Urban Revitalization, was awarded to Nordrohn Drone Show for its Kamishihoro Christmas Drone Show. This event honored the town’s Hometown Tax initiative, where taxpayers can direct a portion of their taxes to benefit rural communities. “As a gift for paying the hometown tax in Kamishihoro Town, Hokkaido, where the event is held, a snack plan using local ingredients with viewing seats for the Kamishihoro Christmas Drone Show will be offered, which is very interesting as a way to present the characteristics of the local event,” said one of the anonymous judges. “I appreciate that it was a show that triggered the use of the hometown tax payment system.”

As Japan’s drone light show industry matures, leaders like Kōmei Sasaki and the JDSA are playing a critical role in shaping its direction. Through initiatives that promote safety, creativity, and industry standards, they are helping to establish drone shows as a recognized and respected part of Japan’s cultural and commercial landscape.

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