Message & Policy

Message

Navigation is the art and science of determining the position of an airplane or any other vehicle and guiding it to a specific destination. Electronic navigation is a form of navigation relying on electronic information and communication technology. Currently, each day more than 1,000 flights take off and land at Tokyo International Airport, and more than 5,000 flights operate within Japanese airspace, including international and domestic flights that take off and land at domestic airports, as well as overflights. Passenger travel demand expressed as Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs) is growing at a constant rate of 3.98%, and is predicted to double in twenty years. To ensure safe and efficient aircraft operations, it is vital to promote the introduction of new technologies, such as next-generation air traffic systems, and advancement of air traffic management in response to this increase in air transportation.

ENRI is the only national public research institute in Japan focusing on air traffic systems, including communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS), and air traffic management (ATM) technologies. We are engaged in research and development with the aim of realizing technology that will further advance air traffic management, improve safety, and preserve the global environment. In addition, we intend to focus on realizing the long-term vision for future air traffic systems, named Collaborative Actions for Renovation of Air Traffic Systems (CARATS), advocated by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan. We are also engaged in research and development in areas related to digital transformation, carbon neutrality, and next-generation mobility.

On January 2, 2024, an accident occurred on the runway of Tokyo International Airport in which a passenger plane collided with another aircraft and caught fire. Our research institute has collaborated with domestic and international research institutes to improve air traffic safety to mitigate such accidents. We have also contributed to activities toward international standardization for the development of future systems. Hereafter, with the aim of further strengthening the safety and security, we will enhance our technical support and research and development on future systems in a timely manner.

In 2016, ENRI was integrated with the National Maritime Research Institute (NMRI) and the Port and Airport Research Institute (PARI) and became a part of the National Institute of Maritime, Port and Aviation Technology (MPAT). This has enabled multi-disciplinary research projects on not only aviation but also marine and port technologies, and has paved the way to greater contributions to society by expanding our research in the transportation domain. We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders and organizations toward the development and safety of aviation and transportation.

April 1, 2024

Basic Policy in Business Operation