From August 1st to 3rd, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) co-hosted the FAA Drone Symposium and the FAA Advanced Air Mobility Summit2 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.The FAA Drone Symposium is a symposium on unmanned aircraft systems that has been held annually since 2016 and is the predecessor of the FAA UAS Symposium; this was the eighth time it was held. < Back Civil Aviation August 2024 Participation Report from the 2023 FAA Drone Symposium and the Advanced Air Mobility Summit By Shinichiro Tsuri From August 1st to 3rd, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) co-hosted the FAA Drone Symposium and the FAA Advanced Air Mobility Summit2 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland, USA.The FAA Drone Symposium is a symposium on unmanned aircraft systems that has been held annually since 2016 and is the predecessor of the FAA UAS Symposium; this was the eighth time it was held. Download the Report

With the coronavirus greatly impacting the state of air travel, airlines have had to rapidly respond to the crisis by dually keeping in mind the safety and convenience of customers while also trying to preserve company profits. In this report, read about the reactions of the U.S.'s three largest airlines during the 2020 second quarter, when the effects of the pandemic first became fully apparent. < Back Civil Aviation Financial Results of U.S. Major Airlines from April to June 2020 By Daisuke Takagi With the coronavirus greatly impacting the state of air travel, airlines have had to rapidly respond to the crisis by dually keeping in mind the safety and convenience of customers while also trying to preserve company profits. In this report, read about the reactions of the U.S.'s three largest airlines during the 2020 second quarter, when the effects of the pandemic first became fully apparent. Download the Report

In October 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a final rule on pilot certification and flight standards for powered-lift aircraft, following the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in June 2023. The FAA then released an updated version of its guidance on vertiports (airfields for vertical takeoff and landing) in December 2024. In April 2025, the FAA announced the selection of the operating entity for the Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies, which was mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and enacted in May 2024. Furthermore, an executive order issued in June 2025 directed the establishment of an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. This report provides an overview of these recent U.S. government policy developments related to Advanced Air Mobility. < Back Civil Aviation August 2025 U.S. Policy Trends on Advanced Air Mobility: Part 4 ~ Final Rule of the Powered-Lift SFAR, Revision of the Vertiport EB, Selection of the CAAT Operating Entity, and Direction to Establish the eIPP ~ By Shinichiro Tsuri In October 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a final rule on pilot certification and flight standards for powered-lift aircraft, following the issuance of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in June 2023. The FAA then released an updated version of its guidance on vertiports (airfields for vertical takeoff and landing) in December 2024. In April 2025, the FAA announced the selection of the operating entity for the Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies, which was mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 and enacted in May 2024. Furthermore, an executive order issued in June 2025 directed the establishment of an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. This report provides an overview of these recent U.S. government policy developments related to Advanced Air Mobility. Download the Report

Recent developments concerning the revitalization of the U.S. maritime industry have been outlined in the following reports in Japanese by the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute: “Presidential Executive Order and Section 301 Measures under the Trade Act for the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry” (April 21, 2025); “The SHIPS Act for the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry” (May 9, 2025); and “Recent Developments in the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Application of Section 301 Measures under the U.S. Trade Act and other measures” (October 15, 2025). Subsequently, as a result of the U.S.–China summit held on October 30, 2025, both countries agreed to suspend port-related charges and other measures that had been in effect since October 14. The pause is to last for one year, starting November 10. This report focuses particularly on the actions taken by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, as there have been major developments since our latest report, which describes wider measures by the U.S. administration and congress in order to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry through executive orders, the SHIPS Act, Section 301 actions and so forth. < Back Maritime Transportation February 2026 Recent Developments in the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Application of Section 301 under the U.S. Trade Act By Kazuya Fukuhara & Hiroyuki Yamagami Recent developments concerning the revitalization of the U.S. maritime industry have been outlined in the following reports in Japanese by the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute: “Presidential Executive Order and Section 301 Measures under the Trade Act for the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry” (April 21, 2025); “The SHIPS Act for the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry” (May 9, 2025); and “Recent Developments in the Revitalization of the U.S. Maritime Industry: Application of Section 301 Measures under the U.S. Trade Act and other measures” (October 15, 2025). Subsequently, as a result of the U.S.–China summit held on October 30, 2025, both countries agreed to suspend port-related charges and other measures that had been in effect since October 14. The pause is to last for one year, starting November 10. This report focuses particularly on the actions taken by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, as there have been major developments since our latest report, which describes wider measures by the U.S. administration and congress in order to revitalize the U.S. maritime industry through executive orders, the SHIPS Act, Section 301 actions and so forth. Download the Report

At the Extraordinary Session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), held from October 14 to 17, deliberations were expected to culminate in the adoption of the IMO Net Zero Framework (NZF)—a global framework aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping. However, the framework was not adopted due to persistent divergence in members. Instead, the members agreed to convene another Extraordinary Session within a year to continue deliberations toward adoption. Prior to this session, the U.S. government had taken a firm stance against the NZF. In August, it issued an official statement opposing the framework, even hinting at potential retaliatory measures against supporting nations. Furthermore, on October 10, just before the IMO session, Washington reiterated its opposition, outlining specific retaliatory measures such as restrictions on port entry and visa issuance for seafarers of the countries supporting the framework. This report outlines (1) the overview of the IMO Net Zero Framework, (2) the U.S. government’s response to it, and (3) the policy background behind the U.S. position—particularly the recent shifts in U.S. energy policy. < Back Maritime Transportation January 2026 U.S. Response to the IMO Net Zero Framework and Its Background By Yosuke Yamashita At the Extraordinary Session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), held from October 14 to 17, deliberations were expected to culminate in the adoption of the IMO Net Zero Framework (NZF)—a global framework aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping. However, the framework was not adopted due to persistent divergence in members. Instead, the members agreed to convene another Extraordinary Session within a year to continue deliberations toward adoption. Prior to this session, the U.S. government had taken a firm stance against the NZF. In August, it issued an official statement opposing the framework, even hinting at potential retaliatory measures against supporting nations. Furthermore, on October 10, just before the IMO session, Washington reiterated its opposition, outlining specific retaliatory measures such as restrictions on port entry and visa issuance for seafarers of the countries supporting the framework. This report outlines (1) the overview of the IMO Net Zero Framework, (2) the U.S. government’s response to it, and (3) the policy background behind the U.S. position—particularly the recent shifts in U.S. energy policy. Download the Report

Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft made headlines in 2018 and 2019 when back-to-back fatal accidents shocked the aviation community. In this report, Aviation Analyst Yoshihiro Fujimaki examines the delegation system for aircraft certification, which had recently changed prior to these accidents, and who some speculate may have played a part in these unfortunate events. < Back Civil Aviation Historical Background of the Delegation System for Aircraft Certification in the U.S. and its Status after Boeing 737 MAX Accidents By Yoshihiro Fujimaki Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft made headlines in 2018 and 2019 when back-to-back fatal accidents shocked the aviation community. In this report, Aviation Analyst Yoshihiro Fujimaki examines the delegation system for aircraft certification, which had recently changed prior to these accidents, and who some speculate may have played a part in these unfortunate events. Download the Report

As drones and other small unmanned aircraft are more widely manufactured, organizations have begun the formal process to receive aircraft certification in order for them to have greater usage in operations, including UPS and Amazon. This report explains the draft of safety standards released by the FAA in late 2020 to better measure design and testing of said aircraft. < Back Civil Aviation Publication of Draft Safety Standards for Small Unmanned Aircraft By Yoshihiro Fujimaki As drones and other small unmanned aircraft are more widely manufactured, organizations have begun the formal process to receive aircraft certification in order for them to have greater usage in operations, including UPS and Amazon. This report explains the draft of safety standards released by the FAA in late 2020 to better measure design and testing of said aircraft. Download the Report

The first half of 2020 was some of the most difficult times seen in the travel industry, dwarfing the 2009 financial crisis in loss of revenue. With the entire world affected, looking at the nuance between regions of the world may add some clarity to how the course of the coronavirus has impacted tourism and travel on a global scale. < Back Tourism & More Travel Trends of International Tourism in the First Half of 2020 According to the UNWTO’s World Tourism Barometer By Daisuke Takagi The first half of 2020 was some of the most difficult times seen in the travel industry, dwarfing the 2009 financial crisis in loss of revenue. With the entire world affected, looking at the nuance between regions of the world may add some clarity to how the course of the coronavirus has impacted tourism and travel on a global scale. Download the Report

A partial shutdown of U.S. government agencies began on October 1, 2025. While the most recent previous shutdown lasted 35 days, spanning December 2018 to January 2019, the duration of the current shutdown remains unclear. This analysis examines the potential effects of the government shutdown on the transportation and tourism sectors, utilizing the operational plans released by federal agencies on October 1st in conjunction with various media coverage. Readers should note that future developments may introduce new issues and responses. < Back Tourism & More October 2025 Impact of the U.S. Government Shutdown on Transportation and Tourism By Kazuya Fukuhara A partial shutdown of U.S. government agencies began on October 1, 2025. While the most recent previous shutdown lasted 35 days, spanning December 2018 to January 2019, the duration of the current shutdown remains unclear. This analysis examines the potential effects of the government shutdown on the transportation and tourism sectors, utilizing the operational plans released by federal agencies on October 1st in conjunction with various media coverage. Readers should note that future developments may introduce new issues and responses. Download the Report

Eno conducted an analysis of the international market for air travel for JITTI USA. This multi-part series details some of the most interesting facts and findings, and is instructive for thinking about how international air service has evolved over the past few decades. < Back Civil Aviation Trends in International Travel Part 3: Aircraft, Polar Routes, and Flights to Asia By Paul Lewis Eno conducted an analysis of the international market for air travel for JITTI USA. This multi-part series details some of the most interesting facts and findings, and is instructive for thinking about how international air service has evolved over the past few decades. Download the Report

This year's 2022 APTA Rail Conference addressed hot-button topics that, like in so many other businesses, has proliferated across the rail industry- including labor shortages, mental health, and shifting management styles. With the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allowing greater room for changes and improvements, it is an exciting time to see how the rail industry will shape itself to match the concerns of this moment in history. < Back Surface Transportation APTA Rail Conference 2022 Participation Report By Akito Okabe This year's 2022 APTA Rail Conference addressed hot-button topics that, like in so many other businesses, has proliferated across the rail industry- including labor shortages, mental health, and shifting management styles. With the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allowing greater room for changes and improvements, it is an exciting time to see how the rail industry will shape itself to match the concerns of this moment in history. Download the Report

The National Bureau of Asian Research hosted its annual Energy on the Hill event on November 8, 2023, to launch its 19th Energy Security Report on “The Revenge of Energy Security: Reconciling Economy Security with Climate Ambitions.” The focus was on the Indo-Pacific region's efforts to navigate the twin challenges of immediate energy security needs and long-term climate goals, and set to explore this complex interplay considering the regional geopolitical dynamics and the pressing global need for sustainable energy solutions. < Back Maritime Transportation December 2023 Event Report: THE REVENGE OF ENERGY SECURITY By Daisuke Komatsu The National Bureau of Asian Research hosted its annual Energy on the Hill event on November 8, 2023, to launch its 19th Energy Security Report on “The Revenge of Energy Security: Reconciling Economy Security with Climate Ambitions.” The focus was on the Indo-Pacific region's efforts to navigate the twin challenges of immediate energy security needs and long-term climate goals, and set to explore this complex interplay considering the regional geopolitical dynamics and the pressing global need for sustainable energy solutions. Download the Report